China Halts Nuclear Talks with the U.S. Over Taiwan Arms Sales

China has suspended nuclear-arms-control talks with the U.S., protesting Washington's arms sales to Taiwan. This move joins China's stance with Russia, potentially thwarting global arms-control efforts. Beijing demands respect for its core interests for dialogue to continue, while the U.S. underscores the importance of managing strategic risks.

China has suspended nuclear-arms-control talks with the United States, citing Washington's arms sales to Taiwan. This decision, announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, aligns Beijing with Moscow in opposing new arms-control discussions with Washington, creating a significant hurdle for global arms-control initiatives.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that repeated U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have severely damaged the political atmosphere necessary for ongoing arms-control consultations. Consequently, China has decided to halt these discussions. However, Lin noted that China remains open to international arms-control communication if the U.S. respects China's core interests and fosters conducive conditions for dialogue.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticized China's decision, likening it to Russia's approach and suggesting it undermines strategic stability. Despite China's stance, the U.S. remains committed to advancing risk-reduction measures. The situation intensifies following the Biden administration's indication that more strategic nuclear deployments may be needed to counter threats from China and Russia.

(With inputs from agencies.)