BEIJING – In a significant diplomatic confrontation, China’s foreign minister vehemently criticized the United States on Tuesday over its record-breaking arms sale to Taiwan. This denunciation comes as China conducted its second consecutive day of military exercises around the island, which it has long claimed as part of its territory.

At a year-end diplomatic gathering in Beijing, Wang Yi, the highest-ranking Chinese official to address the issue, expressed his disapproval of both the U.S. arms deal and what he described as the “pro-independence forces in Taiwan.” He also directed criticism towards the leadership in Japan.

“We must firmly oppose and counteract the ongoing provocations from Taiwan’s pro-independence elements and the substantial U.S. arms dealings with Taiwan,” Wang asserted, as he reflected on a year marked by China’s assertive diplomatic strategies as Asia’s leading power.

Wang reiterated China’s commitment to achieving “complete reunification” with Taiwan. The island, which became self-governing after separating from China in 1949 following a civil conflict, has since developed into a thriving multiparty democracy.

In response, Taiwan’s government maintains that the island has never been part of China under the current Communist regime, dismissing Beijing’s sovereignty claims as unfounded.

Military package rankles China

The package valued at more than $11 billion that was announced earlier this month by the U.S. State Department amounts to the largest U.S. arms sale to Taiwan. It includes missiles, drones, artillery systems and military software.

The U.S. is obligated by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on the self-ruled island to buy more U.S. military equipment, even suggesting Taiwan should spend up to 10% of its GDP on defense.

China responded to the sale by launching two days of military drills around Taiwan on Monday. The exercises also are largely seen as a rebuke to Sanae Takaichi, the new Japanese prime minister, who inflamed Beijing last month by implying Japan could militarily intervene over Taiwan.

“Japan, which launched the war of aggression against China, not only fails to deeply reflect on the numerous crimes it committed, but its current leaders also openly challenge China’s territorial sovereignty, the historical conclusions of World War II and the postwar international order,” Wang said, adding that China “must be highly vigilant against the resurgence of Japanese militarism.”

Other diplomatic initiatives reviewed

In his speech reviewing China’s diplomatic highlights for the year, Wang also mentioned Israel’s war in Gaza, welcoming international efforts to facilitate a ceasefire but insisting that more needs to be done.

“The world still owes Palestine justice,” Wang said. “The Palestinian question cannot be marginalized again, and the Palestinian people’s cause for democratic and legitimate rights cannot end in vain.”

China maintains strong relations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority and backs the two-state solution, under which Israel and Palestine would exist as independent states.

Wang also emphasized China’s aim to facilitate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Beijing says it is impartial in the war but in practice signals support for Moscow through frequent state visits and joint military drills.

Wang mediated talks between top diplomats from Thailand and Cambodia earlier this week, which the leaders said helped consolidate a ceasefire between the two neighbors after months of fighting.

The meetings represented China’s latest efforts to strengthen its role as an international mediator and particularly its influence in Asian regional crises. As China grows into an economic and political force globally, Beijing has spent the past decade and more working in various ways to increase its voice as a third party in diplomatic matters.