China suspends arms control talks with the US and blames Washington for arms deliveries to Taiwan

BEIJING: Beijing suspended crucial talks with the United States on arms control and non-proliferation on Wednesday, accusing Washington of continuing to sell weapons to Taiwan. Making the announcement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the United States continued to sell weapons to self-ruled Taiwan, which China says is a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, including by force.

He said that despite Beijing’s resistance, the US actions had “seriously damaged the political atmosphere necessary for further arms control consultations between the two sides.”

“China has decided to suspend talks with the United States on holding a new round of consultations on arms control and non-proliferation,” Lin said at a press conference here.

“The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the United States,” he said, blaming Washington for the disruption of the talks.

China is willing to maintain contact with the United States on this issue, but only on the condition that “the United States must respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and exchanges between the two sides,” he said.

China and the United States resumed talks on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation less than a year ago after lifting COVID restrictions.

The first meeting between the two countries in four years took place in Washington last November. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, both countries agreed on the importance of maintaining communication based on respect and trust.

In addition to Taiwan, tensions over trade, the South China Sea and technology issues are said to have prompted China to break off the important talks.

In recent years, the United States has continued to sell high-tech weapons to Taiwan, ignoring Beijing’s repeated objections after successive U.S. administrations supported Taiwan’s autonomous status, although Washington remains committed to the one-China policy.

The United States passed a $95 billion development aid package in April that included arms deliveries to Taiwan. Washington later approved tactical systems for Taiwan worth $300 million.