China has decided to suspend arms control and non-proliferation consultations with the United States over American arms sales to Taiwan.

Speaking at a news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Lin Jian noted, “For some time now, the United States has been selling arms to the Taiwan administration despite strong Chinese opposition and repeated negotiations.”

“China has decided to suspend consultations [on arms control and non-proliferation] with the United States,” he added.

The diplomat held the American side responsible for this decision, saying, “The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US.”

He stressed that China was willing to maintain communication with the US on the issue but only on the condition that “the US must respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange between the two sides.”

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in China’s civil war.

However, Beijing considers the island to be one of its provinces.

While recognizing the One China policy, Washington continues to maintain contact with the Taipei administration.

The US does not formally recognise Taiwan but is it’s most important security partner.

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the US provided more than $70 billion worth of military assistance to Taiwan in the past several years.

On July 12, China imposed new sanctions on a number of US defense companies and their senior management over weapons supplies to the Taiwanese administration.

Those blacklisted include the Anduril Corporation, Maritime Tactical Systems Corporation, Pacific Rim Defense Corporation, AEVEX Aerospace Corporation, LKD Aerospace Corporation and Summit Technology Corporation.

Their assets and property in China have been frozen. Besides, 11 executives of these entities have also been blacklisted and banned from entering China, including Hong Long and Macau.

Trump Says Taiwan Should Be Paying U.S

Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, told a press briefing that Taiwan was grateful to the US for its support, and that Taiwan was “working hard” to maintain the relationship while also increasing their self-defence capabilities and “as a member of the international community.”

This was in response to remarks made by former U.S President, Donald Trump.

In an interview this week, former U.S President, Donald Trump was asked if he will defend Taiwan against China if he wins the US election in November.

In response to the question, Trump said that Taiwan should be paying the US to defend it, that the US was “no different than an insurance company” and that Taiwan “doesn’t give us anything.”

China’s ruling Communist party claims Taiwan as a province and has vowed to annex it, refusing to rule out the use of military force.

Trump noted China’s increased military aggression towards Taiwan, said he, “wouldn’t feel too secure if I was [Taiwan]”, and questioned why the US was acting as Taiwan’s “insurance” when, he claimed, they had taken American chip business.

Without evidence, Trump repeated accusations that Taiwan had taken “almost 100%” of the US’s semiconductor industry.

The Premier said that Taiwan and the US have good relations despite the lack of formal ties

“Taiwan and the US share a common responsibility for the Indo-Pacific region of the Taiwan Strait, and we are willing to do more to defend ourselves and protect our security,” he said.

Cho also said the government hoped and expected that Taiwanese chip manufacturers would keep their R&D in Taiwan.

“R&D staying in Taiwan is the best option, and the government will maintain such an environment and continue to work with the industry,” he said, inviting other foreign companies to set up in Taiwan.