By Adeyemi Adekunle
Beijing has issued a stern warning to Washington, accusing the United States of “playing with fire” after the Biden administration announced a new $571.3 million military aid package for Taiwan.
The move has further strained relations between the world’s two largest economies and intensified tensions in the Taiwan Strait, a critical flashpoint in global geopolitics.
In a statement released on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US action, calling it a “grave infringement on China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
Beijing urged Washington to halt what it described as “dangerous moves” that threaten peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese government has also lodged “stern representations” with the US, signaling its escalating frustration.
The military aid package, which comes less than three months after a $567 million defense assistance deal, is the latest in a series of US moves to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
While the White House has not disclosed specific details of the new package, it aligns with a broader strategy to support the self-ruled island in the face of increasing military and political pressure from Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary. Over recent years, Beijing has ramped up its military drills near Taiwan, frequently sending warplanes and ships into its airspace and waters.
This show of force is intended to deter what it perceives as growing US-Taiwan cooperation, which China views as a challenge to its sovereignty.
Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, accused the US of contradicting its stated commitments to maintaining peace in the region.
“These actions directly contradict the US leaders’ serious commitments not to support Taiwan’s independence,” she said in remarks broadcast by Chinese state media. Zhu also demanded that the US “immediately cease arming Taiwan” and handle the sensitive issue with “utmost caution.”
Taiwan, for its part, has welcomed the US military aid, emphasizing the importance of bolstering its defenses amid growing Chinese aggression.
The island’s leadership has called on Beijing to cease its military activities in the region, which Taiwan argues disrupt international shipping and trade while undermining regional stability.
The issue of Taiwan has been a longstanding point of contention in US-China relations. While the US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, it remains the island’s largest arms supplier and most important strategic ally.
This delicate balancing act is enshrined in the US’s longstanding policy of “strategic ambiguity,” which commits to helping Taiwan defend itself without explicitly promising military intervention in the event of a Chinese attack.
The Biden administration’s continued support for Taiwan reflects bipartisan consensus in Washington over the need to counter China’s growing influence.
However, the looming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump adds a layer of uncertainty to the future of US-Taiwan relations. Trump has signaled a more transactional approach, suggesting that Taiwan should pay for US military protection and refusing to commit to defending the island against a potential Chinese invasion.
China’s ire over US military support for Taiwan is not new. In October, Washington approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, sparking Chinese war drills around the island.
Each new arms deal has been met with escalating rhetoric and retaliatory actions from Beijing, raising fears of an accidental military confrontation.
The Taiwan Strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, has become a focal point for the growing rivalry between the US and China. Analysts warn that continued military build-ups and confrontational posturing could have far-reaching consequences for global trade and security.
Beijing’s warning on Sunday underscores the fragility of the situation. “The Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “The US must understand that its actions have a cost, and the consequences of playing with fire will be borne by those who provoke it.”
