Chinese officials have issued a stern condemnation of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, accusing it of recklessly compromising the island’s economic and security interests to appease foreign powers. At a Wednesday press conference, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhang Han characterized U.S.-Taiwan relations as fundamentally exploitative, stating Washington views Taiwan merely as “fat meat” and a “cash machine” to serve American strategic objectives.
The criticism came in response to Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te’s proposed $40 billion supplementary defense package aimed at purchasing American weaponry. Zhang denounced the expenditure as a catastrophic misallocation of resources that should instead benefit Taiwan’s economy and public welfare. “Buying weapons does not bring security; instead, it accelerates Taiwan’s slide into danger,” she asserted, emphasizing that subservience to external forces would “inevitably lead to self-destruction.”
Domestic opposition to the defense budget has emerged within Taiwan, with protesters and lawmakers from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party blocking the bill from legislative agenda consideration. Simultaneously, reports indicate Taiwan is negotiating reduced U.S. tariff rates in exchange for expanded semiconductor investments, a move Zhang described as draining Taiwan’s industrial resources without regard for residents’ livelihoods.
The spokeswoman also addressed concerning developments in U.S.-Taiwan relations, including the recently enacted Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act requiring regular review of engagement guidelines. Zhang reiterated China’s firm opposition to any U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation and urged Washington to adhere to the one-China principle, cautioning that provocative actions would undermine regional stability.