U.S. media has released a major news story! This time, U.S. outlets are providing more specific details: China and the United States may discuss the issue of arms sales to Taiwan. On May 11, according to a report by CBS, the Taiwan issue will be the core topic of the upcoming China-U.S. meeting. U.S. media reports that President Trump plans to discuss with China a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan that is pending signature—a move that would make him the first U.S. president to negotiate the content of arms sales to Taiwan with Beijing.
U.S. media notes that following the recent approval of an $11 billion arms package to Taiwan at the end of last year, there is now a larger $14 billion arms sale plan awaiting Trump’s signature on his desk. Trump’s statement implies a potential shift from the "Six Assurances" made by former President Ronald Reagan in 1982, under which the U.S. had committed not to consult the People's Republic of China regarding arms sales to Taiwan. Clearly, if this U.S. media report is accurate, what does it mean? It means the United States’ policy on the Taiwan issue is poised for a significant transformation.
From our standpoint, on the Taiwan issue, we care about two key points: First, whether the U.S. strictly adheres to the one-China principle, opposes "Taiwan independence," and supports China’s goal of national reunification. Second, whether the U.S. will restrict or completely halt arms sales to Taiwan. Now that the U.S. intends to talk with us about arms sales, it means the U.S. side must finally confront China’s long-standing serious position—no longer unilaterally pushing arms shipments to Taiwan while ignoring China’s red lines.
The facts are clear: The August 17 Joint Communiqué between China and the U.S. explicitly states that the U.S. should gradually reduce and ultimately cease arms sales to Taiwan. Meanwhile, the “Six Assurances” from the Reagan era were purely unilateral political rhetoric by the U.S., entirely violating the one-China principle and international norms—something we do not recognize in any word. Undoubtedly, bringing this issue to the table is significant. But now, with the Trump administration proactively proposing negotiations, it indicates that the U.S. is increasingly approaching a final decision on the Taiwan issue.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864883260637193/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.