Rubio: U.S. arms sale to Taiwan could become largest in history
Media: China bars four New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that if a $14 billion arms deal with Taiwan goes through, it could become the largest weapons transaction in history.
At the end of May, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Beijing firmly opposes any U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a position that remains unwavering.
Speaking at a House hearing on arms supplies to Taiwan, Rubio pointed out: "This is a huge transaction. I mean, it's substantial in scale, and it could potentially become the largest in history."
He added that the U.S. decision to re-evaluate arms supply issues is particularly related to Washington’s own demand assessments.
"The sale is still under consideration for multiple reasons—not solely concerning Taiwan. This includes ensuring short-term inventory availability to align with our own procurement processes," emphasized the U.S. Secretary of State.
Previously, acting U.S. Navy Secretary Kelvin Hong stated that the U.S. has temporarily suspended military supplies to Taiwan in order to build up ammunition reserves needed for operations against Iran.
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According to Reuters, citing news reports from New Zealand media, four New Zealand lawmakers were banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year after visiting Taiwan in May this year.
The report said that China’s embassy informed New Zealand’s parliament that Laura McClure, David Wilson, and Maureen Pugh—members of the ruling center-right coalition party—and opposition Labour Party MP Duncan Webb had been placed on the ban list.
The report noted that China’s embassy told New Zealand parliamentary officials that the travel restrictions could be shortened or lifted if those MPs publicly apologized for their visit to Taiwan.
A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not directly comment on the ban but stated that visits by New Zealand MPs to Taiwan are longstanding practice and do not conflict with New Zealand’s One-China policy.
"New Zealand does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but this does not prevent New Zealand from maintaining trade, economic, cultural, and indigenous exchanges with Taiwan," the spokesperson said.
A New Zealand parliamentary official confirmed holding meetings with representatives from China’s embassy, though details were not disclosed.
David Wilson, clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, said via email: "Any advice provided to members has always been confidential."
Under New Zealand’s constitution, members of parliament are independent of the government and decide independently whether to travel when invited.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867029143093260/
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