China Vows “Resolute Countermeasures” After US Arms Sale to Taiwan, Lai’s Hawaii Transit
China has vowed “resolute countermeasures” following the United States’ approval of a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan and President William Lai Ching-te’s transit through Hawaii, Al Jazeera reports.
Beijing views both actions as significant provocations.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday condemning the US arms sale, which includes spare parts and support for F-16 jets and radars. The ministry asserted the sale sends “a wrong signal” to Taiwan independence forces and harms US-China relations. The US maintains its commitment to providing Taiwan with defensive capabilities despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, a stance consistently criticized by China.
The timing of the announcement, hours before Lai’s stopover in Hawaii, further inflamed tensions. China strongly condemned the US for “arranging” Lai’s transit, during which he received a warm welcome from Hawaii Governor Josh Green. The Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest with the US, reiterating its opposition to any official exchanges between Washington and Taipei.
China considers Taiwan its own territory and views Lai as a “separatist,” expressing deep displeasure with his visit. During his Hawaii stopover, Lai visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, where he emphasized the importance of US-Taiwan cooperation in preventing war. “Peace is priceless, and war has no winners,” he stated.
Lai’s office described his reception at Honolulu’s international airport as unprecedented for a Taiwanese president, noting the “red carpet treatment” including a meeting with Governor Green and Ingrid Larson, managing director in Washington of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). He expressed gratitude to the US for facilitating his trip.
Lai’s week-long tour will also include visits to Taiwan’s allies – the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau – the only Pacific island nations among the 12 countries that recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
