China has announced the suspension of arms control and nuclear non-proliferation negotiations with the United States, citing dissatisfaction with Washington's continued arms sales to Taiwan. The decision, revealed by Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jain during a press conference, marks a significant escalation in the already strained relations between the two countries.

 

"Over the past weeks and months, despite China's firm opposition and repeated protest, the U.S. has continued to sell arms to Taiwan and done things that severely undermine China's core interests and the mutual trust between China and the U.S.," Lin stated. "Consequently, the Chinese side has decided to hold off discussion with the U.S. on a new round of consultations on arms control and non-proliferation."

 

China considers Taiwan a rogue province and has expressed a willingness to reclaim it by force if necessary. The United States, while not having official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, maintains an unofficial relationship that includes the sale of weapons. This relationship was recently highlighted by a $360 million arms deal approved by the Biden administration last month, as well as an $8 billion military aid package for Taiwan signed by President Joe Biden in April.

 

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed China's decision to withdraw from the talks, likening China's stance to that of Russia. "China has chosen to follow Russia's lead in asserting that engagement on arms control can't proceed when there are other challenges in the bilateral relationship," Miller told reporters. "Unfortunately by suspending these consultations, China has chosen not to pursue efforts that would manage strategic risks and prevent costly arms races."

 

The suspension of talks comes as China's nuclear arsenal is on the rise. A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicated that China's nuclear warhead count increased from 410 to 500 over the past year, with expectations for continued growth. This increase in nuclear capabilities adds a layer of complexity to the already fraught diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and China.

 

Despite the current suspension, both nations have expressed a willingness to return to the negotiating table. Miller emphasized that the U.S. remains open to discussions provided China is prepared to manage strategic risks. Conversely, Lin laid the responsibility for creating conducive conditions for dialogue on the U.S. "The U.S. must respect China's core interests and create necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange," Lin said.

 

This development highlights the deepening rift between the two global powers, driven by conflicting interests and mutual distrust. As China's nuclear capabilities expand and the U.S. continues its arms deals with Taiwan, the path to resuming productive dialogue on arms control and non-proliferation remains uncertain.

 

Credit: UPI 2024-07-19

 

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13 hours ago, Social Media said:

despite China's firm opposition and repeated protest, the U.S. has continued to sell arms to Taiwan and done things that severely undermine China's core interests

 

They should better look at what they are doing to enable Putin to continue his war in Ukraine . People die every day and that is , partially , china's fault as well .

China's core interests ? Would be nice to know what exactly this is ? Apart from establishing a new world order and the ' reunification ' with Taiwan  , of course ....

 

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

China's nuclear warhead count increased from 410 to 500 over the past year, with expectations for continued growth.

 

Sometimes I think the ' big bang ' should come soon ...

May be the survivors , if there are any , can do a ' reboot ' with different values ...?

But , after a nuclear world war , there would probably be not much left ...