After the U.S. announced military sales and aid to Taiwan, China says the U.S. is “playing with fire.” In a statement, the Chinese government said Sunday, Dec. 22, that Taiwan is the “first red line that cannot be crossed” in relations between the two global superpowers.
The U.S. authorized up to $571 million in defense support for Taiwan. In addition, the U.S. has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons to the island’s government.
This comes just a few months after the U.S. approved another aid package of the same amount.
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Taiwan governs itself as a democracy, sitting 100 miles offshore from mainland China.
The U.S. has backed Taiwan since the Communist Party took over China in 1949, but it shifted to an informal relationship with the island nation in 1980.
In practice, China does not control Taiwan but considers it Chinese territory and often talks about “reunification.” In recent years, China has escalated its activities around the island, suggesting it could try to attack and take over Taiwan in the future.
While Taiwan has accused China of undermining peace and stability in the region, this weekend, it was China making those accusations about the U.S. in response to its aid to Taiwan.
President-elect Donald Trump has not committed to defending Taiwan if China’s communist government invades the island. Instead, he has requested Taiwan pay more to the U.S. for defense.
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