BEIJING: The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.”
US President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the US to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan is a democratic island of 23 million people that the Chinese government claims as its territory and says must come under its control. US military sales and assistance aim to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack.
The $571 million in military assistance comes on top of Biden’s authorization of $567 million for the same purposes in late September. The military sales include $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a social media post on X that it reaffirmed the US government’s “commitment to our defense.”
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China says US is ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan
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China says US is ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan
- US President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million for Taiwan
- Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved
Starmer calls for UK to have a deeper relationship with China during ‘challenging times’
- The UK leader tells China’s leader Xi Jinping that their countries need to work together on global stability, climate change and other issues
BEIJING: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Thursday for a deeper relationship with China during what he called “challenging times for the world.”
The UK leader told China’s leader Xi Jinping that their countries need to work together on global stability, climate change and other issues.
“I have long been clear that the UK and China need a long term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.
Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit in eight years, was holding talks with Xi in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing as the two nations try to improve relations after several years of acrimony.
The disruption to global trade under US President Donald Trump has made expanding trade and investment more imperative for many governments. Starmer is the fourth leader of a US ally to visit Beijing this month, following those of South Korea, Canada and Finland. The German chancellor is expected to visit next month.
Starmer, who became prime minister in July 2024, is trying to expand opportunities for British companies at a time when the economy at home is slow. More than 50 top business executives have joined him on the trip, along with the leaders of some cultural organizations.
The UK leader earlier met Zhao Leji, the chairman of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress.
Relations deteriorated in recent years over growing concern about Chinese spying activity in Great Britain, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
The UK leader told China’s leader Xi Jinping that their countries need to work together on global stability, climate change and other issues.
“I have long been clear that the UK and China need a long term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.
Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit in eight years, was holding talks with Xi in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing as the two nations try to improve relations after several years of acrimony.
The disruption to global trade under US President Donald Trump has made expanding trade and investment more imperative for many governments. Starmer is the fourth leader of a US ally to visit Beijing this month, following those of South Korea, Canada and Finland. The German chancellor is expected to visit next month.
Starmer, who became prime minister in July 2024, is trying to expand opportunities for British companies at a time when the economy at home is slow. More than 50 top business executives have joined him on the trip, along with the leaders of some cultural organizations.
The UK leader earlier met Zhao Leji, the chairman of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress.
Relations deteriorated in recent years over growing concern about Chinese spying activity in Great Britain, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.
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