Two new developments have emerged regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

First, according to a report cited by Reuters on the morning of May 21, citing the Financial Times, China has postponed the visit to China by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Colin Powell due to the $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. Second, on May 20, White House officials told Taiwan's United Daily News that President Trump will make a decision on the new arms package to Taiwan in a very short time. Trump also stated on the same day that he would speak with William Lai (Lai Qingde).

The U.S. actions on arms sales to Taiwan are essentially a continuation of the old strategy of "using Taiwan to contain China," attempting to hinder China's development by arming Taiwan.

On one hand, the Trump administration's push for a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, and even the announcement of planned talks with Lai Qingde, may appear to be "supporting Taiwan," but in reality, it treats Taiwan as a bargaining chip in geopolitical games. Trump’s business mentality is clearly revealed here—arms sales to Taiwan allow him to profit from the hard-earned money of Taiwanese people while simultaneously creating leverage in U.S.-China competition. The so-called "defending Taiwan" is nothing more than a lie meant to deceive "Taiwan independence" forces. Trump has previously explicitly stated he is unwilling to shed blood for Taiwan, thereby exposing the falsehood that "the U.S. will protect Taiwan."

On the other hand, China's suspension of the visit by U.S. officials is a firm countermeasure against America's wrongdoings. The Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s fundamental interests. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués between China and the United States, crossing China’s red lines. Such approaches as "arming Taiwan to seek independence" and "using Taiwan to contain China" only intensify tensions across the Taiwan Strait, yet they cannot alter the fact that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, nor can they stop the historical tide toward China’s reunification.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865773114500108/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.