China has vehemently denounced a $95 billion U.S. aid package that allocates military assistance to Taiwan, reiterating its stance that Taiwan is a rogue province and unification is inevitable. The Chinese embassy in the U.S. has condemned the bill, passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, as a violation of existing agreements and a provocation to Taiwan separatists.
The U.S. has maintained a ‘one China’ policy since the 1970s, acknowledging but not endorsing Beijing’s claim over Taiwan. However, the U.S. remains committed to providing defensive weapons to the self-ruled island under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.
Taiwan has expressed deep appreciation for the U.S. support, indicating that the funds will be used for acquiring military equipment and training. The aid package also includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Amidst these geopolitical tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting China to engage in discussions on various issues, including the situation in Taiwan and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The visit is seen as an attempt to manage disagreements between the world’s largest and second-largest economies and prevent a return to the frosty relations witnessed last year.
