Don’t play with fire, America, Beijing panicked as soon as Taiwan got weapons, is the world war going to start?

China-America Tension: America is going to sell the biggest arms ever to Taiwan. This is the second arms sale to Taiwan during Donald Trump’s administration alone. The deal is worth about $11.1 billion and includes Harpoon, Javelin and wire-guided missiles. China has become angry with this deal. The Chinese Foreign Ministry says that this sale has increased the risk of conflict between China and America.

The Trump administration had already approved the sale of arms worth US$330 million on November 13 this year. That package included supply of transport and fighter aircraft parts to Taiwan. China has been steadily increasing its military presence around Taiwan, a strategy aimed at encircling the island. However, America wants to strengthen its influence by supplying arms to Taiwan to counter China’s growing influence.

America gave these weapons to Taiwan

The US will sell Taiwan Strategic Mission Network software, AH-1W helicopter parts, M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS strike systems, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles, Javelin missiles and Harpoon missile kits, and Altius-600M and Altius-700M loitering munition drones.

Beijing got upset as soon as weapons were found

China is very unhappy with this step of America. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun said the arms sales have placed the Taiwanese people on a powder keg, actually increasing the risk of China-US conflict and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China accused the US of undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Washington showed its eye to Beijing

In response, America said that it will not back down from its 40-year commitment towards Taiwan. The US has urged China to hold direct talks with Taiwan instead of exerting military, diplomatic and economic pressure on the island. Some defense experts believe the US arms package could increase tensions between Taiwan and China.

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Some believe Trump is focused on making profits by selling arms to Taiwan, as he has repeatedly said Taiwan would have to pay for its own defense against China. Trump had said that Taiwan is under threat from China and hence it should spend 10 percent of its GDP on defense. The Taiwanese government now aims to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2030. Trump has made similar demands not only from Taiwan but also from NATO allies.