 "China suspends nuclear talks with US over arm supply to Taiwan, Washington hits back")
Amid the brewing tensions between China and the United States, Beijing has suspended talks over arms control and nuclear proliferation with Washington. China said that they are suspending delegation-level talks in protest against the US arms sales to Taiwan, the democratically aligned island that Beijing claims as its own territory.
The controversial decision was announced by China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday. The ministry stated that the move became important now more than ever since both the US Presidential candidates are calling increased trade restrictions to contain the Chinese influence in East Asia.
China expresses apprehension over growing ties between the US and Taiwan
While announcing the decision, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that the US had continued to sell arms to Taiwan despite “strong Chinese opposition and repeated negotiations”.
“Consequently, the Chinese side has decided to hold off discussion with the US on a new round of consultations on arms control and nonproliferation. The responsibility fully lies with the US," he added.
Lin made it clear that China was willing to maintain communication on international arms control but insisted that the United States “must respect China’s core interests and create necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange”.
Washington reacts
While responding to China’s accusations, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, accused China of “following Russia’s lead” by holding arms control negotiations hostage to other conflicts in the bilateral relationship.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“We think this approach undermines strategic stability, it increases the risk of arms-race dynamics,” Miller said at a press briefing on Wednesday, The Guardian reported.
“Unfortunately, by suspending these consultations, China has chosen not to pursue efforts that would manage strategic risks and prevent costly arms races, but we, the United States, will remain open to developing and implementing concrete risk-reduction measures with China," he added.
Why the worry?
It is pertinent to note that the United States is Taiwan’s main international partner and holds the position of largest arms supplier to the island region. In June this year, the US House of Representatives approved $500m in foreign military financing for Taiwan to strengthen military deterrence against China, along with $2bn in loans and loan guarantees.
Not only this, the United States also approved $300m in spare and repair parts for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets.
China’s reluctance to hold talks over the matter is concerning since Beijing is estimated to have 500 nuclear warheads. However, the US Department of Defence noted that they are expecting China to produce more than 1,000 warheads by 2030. In November last year, both nations discussed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty for the first time in five years.
With inputs from agencies.
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