Beijing calls on Washington to cease its military cooperation with Taiwan, escalating tensions between the two superpowers over regional security issues.
According to Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, the Taiwan issue is of utmost importance for Beijing and therefore Washington must cease cooperating with the Taiwanese military while upholding China’s key concerns.
Zhang, during a meeting with the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Thursday, urged the US to halt its military cooperation with Taiwan as well as cease selling arms and spreading unfounded information about it. This statement was shared by the Chinese Defense Ministry through a published transcript.
Zhang stated that the matter of Taiwan is considered as an essential element in China-US relations and regarded by Beijing as a fundamental part of its territory. He identified it as the primary non-negotiable boundary which must not be trespassed. Zhang reiterated that while ensuring serenity and steadiness within the Taiwan Strait has always been their top priority, they will take robust actions if there are any attempts to disintegrate Taiwan from their nation’s sovereignty.
Zhang stated that it is the steadfast obligation of China’s People’s Liberation Army to firmly oppose those who advocate for Taiwan independence and facilitate reunification. He further emphasized their responsibility in ardently thwarting any audacious instigation by separatist factions.
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Additionally, the vice chairman has stressed on the need for the US to re-evaluate its strategic stance towards China and adopt a practical and rational approach. It is imperative that they acknowledge and respect our country’s fundamental interests by collaborating with us in enhancing armed forces cooperation while sharing responsibilities as two formidable powers.
Zhang remembered that during a summit in San Francisco held in November 2023, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Xinping laid out the path towards fostering stable, healthy and sustainable development of US-China relations. They also urged American leadership to collaborate with Beijing on executing this agreement.
Zhang concluded by expressing his hope that the United States and China would work together in harmony to progress towards mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Last week, the Financial Times reported that top foreign policy officials from Taiwan – comprising of the foreign minister and national security adviser- secretly traveled to Washington for undisclosed meetings referred to as “special channel” talks. The two sides are believed to have been holding these discussions regularly over several years.
The US has been accused by China of undermining the One China policy that considers Taiwan to be an inseparable part of Chinese land, due to its frequent interactions with Taipei.
