US arms sales to Taiwan a dangerous gambit: Editorial flash

The United States' latest move to push forward a massive arms sales package to Taiwan, one of its largest ever to the Chinese island — reportedly worth around $11 billion — once again exposes Washington's reckless disregard for the one-China principle and the political foundations of China-US relations.

Denouncing it on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rightfully called it "a dangerous act".

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the move. By selling weapons to the secessionist-minded Lai Ching-te authorities, the US administration is grossly violating the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. These documents constitute solemn commitments made to China by the US and form the bedrock of bilateral relations. Undermining them not only infringes upon China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, but also erodes mutual trust and undermines cross-Strait as well as regional stability.

Arming Taiwan sends a wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, emboldening them to pursue an agenda that runs counter to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

As Guo rightly pointed out, these forces seek to advance "independence" through military buildup, squandering taxpayers' money on weapons while recklessly gambling with the future of the island. Turning Taiwan into a heavily armed outpost does not make it safer; it risks turning it into a powder keg.

Weapons cannot alter the fundamental trajectory of the Taiwan question. Moves to resist reunification through force will not reverse the inevitable failure of "Taiwan independence". On the contrary, they only accelerate the momentum toward confrontation and heighten the risk of military conflict. Those on the island who cling to illusions of external protection should recognize that being used as a pawn in a larger geopolitical game comes at a cost.

For the US, the logic is equally flawed. Emboldening the Democratic Progressive Party separatist forces by selling them arms will ultimately backfire. Using the island as a tool to contain China is a strategic dead end. Such actions not only damage China-US relations, but also undermine regional peace and stability — an outcome that will ultimately damage the interests of the US.

China's position is consistent, clear and unwavering. The Taiwan question lies at the core of China's core interests and constitutes the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. No one should underestimate the firm will and the strong capability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Beijing urges the US side to honor the one-China principle, abide by the three China-US joint communiques, and act on the serious commitments made in the series of head-of-state talks. The immediate cessation of arms sales to Taiwan is not only a matter of principle, but a necessary step to prevent further escalation. No one should have any doubt that China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The responsibility for de-escalation lies squarely with Washington.