China says US ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid to Taiwan

BEIJING — The Chinese government on Sunday protested the latest US announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it was “playing with fire.”

President Biden on Saturday authorized the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department equipment and services as well as military education and training to Taiwan, a self-governing country that Beijing claims as its territory and which, according to him, must come under his control. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved.

A statement from China’s Foreign Ministry urged the United States to stop arming Taiwan and end what it called “dangerous measures that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

U.S. sales and military assistance are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack.

The $571 million in military assistance is in addition to Biden’s authorization of $567 million for the same purposes at the end of September. Military sales include $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 weapons mounts.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of both sales, saying in an article on X that it reaffirmed the U.S. government’s “commitment to our defense.”

In October, the United States approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including the first delivery of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, also drawing criticism from China as Beijing responded with war exercises around Taiwan.

Taiwan demanded earlier this month that China end its ongoing military activities in neighboring waters, which it said were undermining peace and stability and disrupting shipping and international trade.

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he will not commit to defending Taiwan if China were to invade it during his presidency.

Trump also said Taiwan should pay the United States to defend itself against China, likening the relationship to insurance. Taiwan spends around 2.5% of its GDP on defense.