China announced that it will suspend arms control and non-proliferation negotiations agreed upon during the US-China summit, citing that the United States has infringed on its core interests by selling weapons to Taiwan.
On the 17th, Lin Zhen, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a briefing, "The United States has taken serious negative actions that undermine the political mutual trust between the two countries, such as continuously selling weapons to Taiwan despite China's opposition and repeated negotiations, thereby harming China's core interests." He added, "This has seriously destroyed the political atmosphere necessary for the two countries to continue arms control negotiations."
He also said, "China and the United States have decided to temporarily suspend consultations to hold new arms control and non-proliferation negotiations," adding, "The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the United States."
Spokesperson Lin emphasized, "China is willing to maintain communication with the United States on international arms control agendas based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation," but stressed, "The United States must respect China's core interests and create the necessary conditions for bilateral dialogue and exchanges."
Previously, in November last year, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at the US-China summit in San Francisco to "maintain communication" and "prevent conflicts," and decided to promote negotiations in various areas including business, economy, finance, export controls, Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime issues, arms control, non-proliferation, and diplomatic policy planning.
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