China Calls US Vaccine Delivery to Taiwan a 'Weapon Delivery Ceremony'... Most Serious Provocation Since Biden Took Office

Chinese State Media Claims Vaccines and 3 US Senators Disguised to Transport Military Supplies
C-17 Transport Aircraft Is a Giant Plane Capable of Carrying M1 Abrams Tanks

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media strongly protested, claiming that the U.S. military transport aircraft ‘C-17 Globemaster’ carrying 750,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in Taiwan was actually loaded with military supplies. The Chinese media alleged that three U.S. senators were on board the military aircraft to conceal the true nature of the military supplies transport.

The Chinese state-run Global Times reported on the 7th that the U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane carrying COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Taiwan on the morning of the 6th and left after three hours. The transport plane carried a delegation of three U.S. senators: Tammy Duckworth, Christopher Coons, and Dan Sullivan.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The media focused on the C-17 transport plane. The C-17, which arrived in Taiwan carrying 750,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, is known as the second largest military transport aircraft owned by the U.S. military. This transport plane can carry up to 77 tons of cargo. It can simultaneously transport five helicopters such as Apaches and is also reported to be capable of transporting M1 Abrams tanks. In addition to the C-17, two C-12 Huron light transport aircraft also arrived in Taiwan on the same day.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping criticized, "The essence of the U.S. military’s strategic transport plane landing in Taiwan is not the vaccines but military supplies," and added, "The presence of three U.S. senators on board is a disguise to conceal the transport of military supplies."

Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "There is no need for a large military transport plane like the C-17 to deliver vaccines," and called it "the most serious provocation by the U.S. since Joe Biden took office."

The Global Times cited the announcement by Taiwan’s military authorities as evidence that the delivery of military supplies was disguised as vaccine delivery. Taiwan’s military announced a tank and artillery live-fire exercise on the 5th, one day before the arrival of the C-17.

Yuan Zheng, senior researcher at the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, warned, "The Biden administration is hollowing out the ‘One China’ principle by developing diplomatic relations with Taiwan," and added, "The Biden administration is testing China’s red lines."

The Global Times argued that clearer red lines should be drawn regarding the Taiwan issue and that stronger sanctions should be imposed on foreign politicians and officials who cross the line. It also warned that if the U.S. military further escalates tensions in the Taiwan Strait, vigilance over the Taiwan island and related straits will be further strengthened.