Ex-NATO chief George Robertson to lead a UK defense review, says China among ‘deadly’ challenges
Associated PressJUL 8 2024
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that China decided to suspend a new round of negotiations with the US on arms control and nuclear proliferation in protest over Washington's arms sales to self-ruled Taiwan.
According to Beijing, recent and repeated US weapons sales to the island China considers part of its territory are seriously undermining „the political atmosphere for continuing the arms-control consultations.“
The Foreign Ministry further argued that continued US arms sales to Taiwan and a series of "negative" actions by the US - Taiwan's main ally and biggest arms supplier - seriously harm "China's core interests and undermine mutual political trust."
China's decision is a significant blow to global arms control efforts that unnecessarily jeopardizes international stability and thus China's long-term security. The US is committed to promoting the defense capabilities of democratic Taiwan given Beijing's threats to "reunite" the island with the mainland. However, despite Beijing's decision, Washington will remain open to developing and implementing concrete risk-reduction measures with China to avoid a new and costly nuclear arms race.