Beijing on Wednesday reaffirmed its firm opposition to US military exports to Taiwan, urging Washington to keep its promises ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to China for a high-level summit.
The status of self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as a sovereign territory, and arms transfers to Taipei are guaranteed topics for the upcoming two-day dialogue between Trump and President Xi Jinping.
Although lacking formal diplomatic relations, the US is legally obligated to assist in Taiwan’s self-defense.
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China firmly opposes any form of military ties and arms sales from the United States to Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a domestic concern and “the core of China’s core interests”.
Taiwan is a guaranteed topic of discussion because China claims it as a sovereign territory, while the US is mandated by law to assist in Taiwan’s self-defense. Beijing considers US arms exports to Taipei a violation of its core interests.
China could argue that the Taiwanese legislature’s reduced defense budget reflects the will of the Taiwanese people, potentially persuading President Trump to halt or reduce Taiwan’s defense support.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined the delegation to focus on artificial intelligence and technology. Trump aims to ask Xi Jinping to “open up” China to US business leaders to operate and help China’s development.
Trade is a primary item on the agenda, and Trump is eager to secure trade deals and discuss the details of a new trade council. The two leaders are expected to seek to extend the trade truce and discuss tariffs.
In December 2025, the Trump administration disclosed a record $11 billion arms deal for the island.
Zhang Han, representative of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stressed that Taiwan remains a domestic interest reserved for the Chinese people.
“We are strongly opposed to the United States engaging in any form of military ties with China’s Taiwan region, and we are strongly opposed to the United States selling arms to China’s Taiwan region. This position is consistent and unequivocal,” she said in Beijing.
Taiwan is “the core of China’s core interests” and upholding the commitments made by successive US governments is “an international obligation that the US side is obliged to fulfill”, Zhang added.
As part of its “One China” policy, Washington takes no official position on Taiwan’s sovereignty, recognizing – but not endorsing – Beijing’s claim to the island.
Taiwan’s Defense Budget
Trump’s visit follows a decision by Taiwan’s opposition-led legislature to approve only two-thirds of the $40 billion defense budget sought by President Lai Ching-te.
The move secured funding for US weapons but curtailed domestic initiatives such as drone development.
A senior US official expressed disappointment on Sunday, suggesting the level of spending fell short of Washington’s strategic recommendations.
This was reported by a Taiwanese security source Reuters Taipei’s main concern is that Beijing could use this budget cut as diplomatic leverage with Trump.
China could “argue that Taiwan’s legislature opposes the arms purchase and that the U.S. should respect the will of the Taiwanese people — to persuade President Trump to stop or reduce defense support for Taiwan,” the official added.
While Reuters previously announced that a follow-up $14 billion arms package could be completed after Trump’s trip, his current status remains ambiguous.
On Tuesday, President Lai – who rejects Beijing’s territorial claims – told a democracy summit in Copenhagen that the island is a “sovereign, independent nation” and a democratic symbol that refuses to surrender.
Conversely, Zhang stated that Taiwan is a Chinese province that has never functioned as a country and never will.
“Our determination to oppose Taiwan’s independence is rock solid, and our ability to crush Taiwan’s independence is unbreakable,” she said.
Wu Cheng, representing the Democratic Progressive Party, countered that China’s rhetoric was irrelevant because Taiwan had its own administration, sovereignty and military. He confirmed that Lai will continue to emphasize Taiwan’s global “existence”.
Although China prefers “peaceful unification”, it has never ruled out using military force to take control.
Focused on business
Trump is traveling to China for his first state visit in nearly a decade. Also on Air Force One is Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang, who joined Trump’s entourage at the last minute.
Huang is among several US business leaders including Apple Inc’s Tim Cook and Tesla Inc’s Elon Musk on Trump’s first overseas trip since waging war with Iran.
In a social media post, Trump said he was honored to have Huang and other business leaders as part of the US delegation.
“I will ask President Xi, Leader of Extraordinary Distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic and help lift the People’s Republic to an even higher level!” Trump said in the post. “Actually, I promise when we’re together, which will be in a few hours, I’ll make it my first request.
Trump will also be joined by, among others, Kelly Ortberg from Boeing Co. and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials have spent weeks urging China — Iran’s biggest oil buyer and one of the few powers with leverage in Tehran — to pressure the Islamic Republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Watchman message.
