China demands cancellation of US arms sale to Taiwan

On Friday, the US State Department approved the potential sale of over $100 million in military assistance to Taiwan.

Chinese officials have since demanded that the US cancel the sale.

As The Eurasian Times reports, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry discussed the issue during a press conference on Monday.

"China demands that the US immediately withdraw its plan to sell weapons to Taiwan, cut off all military ties with the island," the spokesperson said. "Otherwise, the responsibility for the destruction of relations between Beijing and Washington, as well as peace and stability in Taiwan, will fall entirely on the United States."

There have been numerous arms deals made between the US and Taiwan since Joe Biden took office.

According to the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the latest deal aims to "contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's vehicles, small arms, combat weapon systems, and logistical support items, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats."

As Reuters reports, while the US hasn't given a timeline for the deal, Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated that it will "become effective within a month."

Despite having only unofficial relations with Taiwan, the US has long required that the government provide aid to the island nation, to the chagrin of China.

In April, following the announcement of a $95 million deal between the US and Taiwan, Chinese officials claimed that the Biden administration had violated the "one-China principle," an American policy that recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as "the sole legal Government of China."

When the policy was put in place in 1979, however, the US never gave in to pressure from China to recognize Taiwan as being controlled by the PRC, only "acknowledging" their claim over the island.

Since then, the threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan has caused the US to ramp up military assistance.