Beijing Opposes US Arms Sales to Taiwan; MAC: China Should First Review Its Threatening Behavior
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) responded to Beijing's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan by stating that China should first review its own military threats toward the island. The MAC emphasized that the quality and quantity of U.S. arms sales are determined by the level of China's military threat.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 19:17
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 14th) In response to Beijing's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are based on the Taiwan Relations Act. The performance, quality, and quantity of these sales depend on the level of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) military threat to Taiwan. The CCP should first review its military threat behavior towards Taiwan.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held its regular press conference this afternoon, hosted by Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh.
Regarding Beijing's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Liang Wen-chieh emphasized that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are based on the Taiwan Relations Act, and the performance, quality, and quantity of these sales are determined by the degree of the CCP's military threat to Taiwan. He stated, "If the CCP wants the U.S. to stop selling weapons to Taiwan, it should first review its own military threat behavior towards Taiwan."
He expressed that Taiwan's current common goal is to maintain the status quo of the Republic of China, which is the greatest consensus among the Taiwanese people. The CCP's desire to destroy the status quo and the continued existence of the Republic of China is the biggest risk to peace in the Taiwan Strait. If peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are valued, the CCP should first restrain its military intimidation tactics against Taiwan.
Liang mentioned that before the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, there were concerns that Taiwan might be harmed due to strong demands from the CCP. "So far, we have not received such information."
Liang Wen-chieh singled out KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen for making remarks that echoed the CCP's stance in an interview with Japanese media.
He said he was grateful to experts and scholars from many countries who were concerned about whether Taiwan would be harmed by the "Trump-Xi meeting." It seemed that only the chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party was not worried. Cheng Li-wen even said in an interview with Japanese media before the meeting, "I hope Trump will speak out against Taiwan independence."
Liang stated that the issue of "Taiwan independence" does not currently exist in Taiwan; maintaining the status quo of the Republic of China is the greatest consensus among the Taiwanese people. However, for the CCP, maintaining the status quo, purchasing arms, and catching spies are all considered acts of Taiwan independence. If one follows the CCP in shouting "oppose Taiwan independence," the CCP will demand that Taiwan not buy or develop weapons, disband its military, and not catch spies, which would be dangerous.
He expressed concern that if Cheng Li-wen continues on this path, one day she might find herself in a position of "looking back at the bright moon over a lost country." The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a beacon of democracy in the Chinese-speaking world and one of the last remaining flames. It is regrettable that the chairwoman of the KMT is willing to be a propaganda tool for the CCP, making the KMT resemble the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong. Political parties should speak with one voice to the outside world; that is the correct attitude.
Cheng Li-wen recently stated in an interview with Japan's Yomiuri TV, "If the U.S. President expresses and reaffirms the One-China policy and opposition to Taiwan independence, this is completely in line with the KMT's position."
Regarding mainland China's push for cross-strait unification, Cheng Li-wen responded that Xi Jinping understands that the cross-strait separation "was not built in a day," but this is not an excuse for division. Cross-strait differences and any issues can be discussed and negotiated. Everyone can work with the utmost perseverance and patience, tackling things one by one. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150514
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held its regular press conference this afternoon, hosted by Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh.
Regarding Beijing's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Liang Wen-chieh emphasized that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are based on the Taiwan Relations Act, and the performance, quality, and quantity of these sales are determined by the degree of the CCP's military threat to Taiwan. He stated, "If the CCP wants the U.S. to stop selling weapons to Taiwan, it should first review its own military threat behavior towards Taiwan."
He expressed that Taiwan's current common goal is to maintain the status quo of the Republic of China, which is the greatest consensus among the Taiwanese people. The CCP's desire to destroy the status quo and the continued existence of the Republic of China is the biggest risk to peace in the Taiwan Strait. If peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are valued, the CCP should first restrain its military intimidation tactics against Taiwan.
Liang mentioned that before the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, there were concerns that Taiwan might be harmed due to strong demands from the CCP. "So far, we have not received such information."
Liang Wen-chieh singled out KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen for making remarks that echoed the CCP's stance in an interview with Japanese media.
He said he was grateful to experts and scholars from many countries who were concerned about whether Taiwan would be harmed by the "Trump-Xi meeting." It seemed that only the chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party was not worried. Cheng Li-wen even said in an interview with Japanese media before the meeting, "I hope Trump will speak out against Taiwan independence."
Liang stated that the issue of "Taiwan independence" does not currently exist in Taiwan; maintaining the status quo of the Republic of China is the greatest consensus among the Taiwanese people. However, for the CCP, maintaining the status quo, purchasing arms, and catching spies are all considered acts of Taiwan independence. If one follows the CCP in shouting "oppose Taiwan independence," the CCP will demand that Taiwan not buy or develop weapons, disband its military, and not catch spies, which would be dangerous.
He expressed concern that if Cheng Li-wen continues on this path, one day she might find herself in a position of "looking back at the bright moon over a lost country." The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a beacon of democracy in the Chinese-speaking world and one of the last remaining flames. It is regrettable that the chairwoman of the KMT is willing to be a propaganda tool for the CCP, making the KMT resemble the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong. Political parties should speak with one voice to the outside world; that is the correct attitude.
Cheng Li-wen recently stated in an interview with Japan's Yomiuri TV, "If the U.S. President expresses and reaffirms the One-China policy and opposition to Taiwan independence, this is completely in line with the KMT's position."
Regarding mainland China's push for cross-strait unification, Cheng Li-wen responded that Xi Jinping understands that the cross-strait separation "was not built in a day," but this is not an excuse for division. Cross-strait differences and any issues can be discussed and negotiated. Everyone can work with the utmost perseverance and patience, tackling things one by one. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150514