BEIJING – Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have intensified as China’s foreign minister vehemently criticized an unprecedented arms deal between the United States and Taiwan. This development coincided with China’s ongoing military drills encircling Taiwan, a territory Beijing has long laid claim to.

During a diplomatic gathering marking the year’s end in Beijing, Wang Yi, China’s top foreign policy official, expressed strong disapproval of the U.S. arms sale. He also took aim at Taiwan’s pro-independence factions and Japan’s leadership, displaying China’s growing frustration over regional dynamics.

Wang Yi stated, “In the face of persistent provocations from Taiwan’s pro-independence forces and the substantial arms sales by the U.S. to Taiwan, it is imperative that we firmly oppose and robustly counter these actions.” His remarks underscored China’s steadfast stance as it reflected on a year of diplomatic engagements by the world’s most populous nation.

Reaffirming China’s longstanding objective, Wang reiterated the goal of achieving “complete reunification” with Taiwan. The island, which distanced itself from China following a civil war in 1949, has since developed into a vibrant multiparty democracy.

In contrast, Taiwan’s government maintains that the island has never been part of the People’s Republic of China as it exists under Communist rule. They argue that Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty over Taiwan lack legitimacy.

The substantial U.S. military package has clearly irked China, adding further strain to the already complex cross-strait relations.

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.