context: The latest US arms sale to Taiwan was offensive to Beijing, not only because China–US relations continue deteriorating, but also because these weapons will increase Taiwan’s offensive, rather than defensive, capabilities.
PLA Daily published a fierce polemic over the 9 July US $2.22bn arms sale to Taiwan, under the pen-name Jun Sheng 钧声 meaning ‘voice of the military’. The sale includes 108 M1A2 tanks and 250 shoulder-launched Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
The sale is unjust, Jun explains, because
- Taiwan is part of China
- it goes against the ‘One China Principle’ and ‘Three Communiques’
- it worsens China–US relations and cross-strait relations
The US, complains Jun, has repeatedly broken international norms, while China has consistently maintained its opposition to arms sales to Taiwan.
The US had agreed, recalls Jun, to gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan. However, the Trump administration has ignored this and instead seeks to ‘normalise’ arms sales to Taiwan. Such actions hurt the feelings of the Chinese people, writes Jun, and damage the US’s political credit.
Peaceful reunification is unstoppable, he insists, warning
- China will not
- trade its core interests
- accept any harm to its sovereignty, security, and development interests
- no attempt to split China will succeed
- any action to interfere in the Taiwan issue is doomed to failure
- to not underestimate the PLA, as it
- is willing, confident, and capable of defeating any form of external interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist acts
- will take all necessary measures to defend China’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity
- China is willing to strive for peaceful reunification, but it will never promise to renounce the use of force
- the PLA will resolutely safeguard reunification at all costs
Jun also advises Taiwanese authorities not to jeopardise Taiwan’s development or the welfare of the Taiwanese people.