China calls off arms control talks with US over weapon sales to Taiwan

China has cut off arms control and non-proliferation talks with the United States because of Washington's arms sales to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

"China has decided to suspend talks with the US on holding a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations," ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

"The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US."

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He said the US' continued sales of weapons to the island in the face of Beijing's opposition had "severely damaged the political atmosphere necessary for continued arms control consultations between the two sides".

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", the ministry said.

China and the US resumed their talks on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation less than a year ago following the end of Covid restrictions.

The two countries held their first meeting in four years in November in Washington, where both agreed on the importance of maintaining such communication under the conditions of respect and trust, the ministry said.

But Taiwan has increasingly become a sore point - in addition to tensions over trade, the South China Sea, and technology.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. The United States, like most countries, does not recognise self-governed Taiwan as independent, but is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force.

The US, legally bound by its 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to help the island protect itself, has been its top weapons supplier.

In April, it passed a US$95 billion foreign aid package that included arms support for Taiwan. And in December, it approved a US$300 million tactical systems upgrade for the island.

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