China calls off arms control talks with US over weapon sales to Taiwan
- Washington must respect Beijing’s core interests if communication is to continue, Chinese foreign ministry says
“China has decided to suspend talks with the US on holding a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
“The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US.”
He said the US’ continued sales of weapons to the island in the face of Beijing’s opposition had “severely damaged the political atmosphere necessary for continued arms control consultations between the two sides”.
China was willing to maintain communication with the US on the issue but only on the condition that “the US must respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange between the two sides”, the ministry said.
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Speaking in a regular press briefing in Washington on Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called Beijing’s decision “unfortunate”.