Joint US-Taiwan weapons production could threaten regional stability and also face challenges, analysts in mainland China have warned, after a senior American senator played up the prospects for such cooperation.
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According to Reuters, US Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate armed services committee and a strong advocate for Taiwan, said on Saturday that he expected “joint production and joint efforts” on weapons production between the two sides as Taipei had pushed for.
Wicker’s remarks to reporters came as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Taiwan with fellow Republican lawmaker Deb Fischer, during which he also met Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te.
Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, reacted strongly to the visit, saying it sent a “seriously wrong signal” to “separatist forces”.
Observers in mainland China noted that both the United States and Taiwan would see industrial and strategic advantages in co-producing weapons, after decades of US arms sales to the island.
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