China, Taiwan's first acquisition of F-16V: "US strongly opposes arms sales to Taiwan"

(Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Jong-gu Han = When Taiwan took delivery of the new F-16V fighter jet purchased from the United States for the first time, the Chinese government reaffirmed its previous position of opposing American arms sales to Taiwan.

According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 7th, when asked about Taiwan's position on Taiwan's acquisition of F-16V fighter jets, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia-kun said in a reporter's question and answer posted on the website the previous day, "We are firmly opposed to the United States selling weapons to China's Taiwan region, and this position is consistent and clear."

On the 2nd, Taiwan received the first two of the 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered from the United States.

The fighter jets arrived at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung, eastern Taiwan, via Hawaii and Guam.

The United States approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs worth about $8 billion (about 10.8 trillion won) in 2019, but delivery has been delayed.

In response to some reports that U.S. officials view the possibility of China's invasion of Taiwan before 2028 as low, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair."

In response to a related question, Spokesperson Guo said, "The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and resolving the Taiwan issue is entirely the Chinese people's own business, and we do not tolerate interference from any external forces."

Earlier, on the 1st, Reuters, citing multiple sources, reported that U.S. officials believe that the possibility of China invading Taiwan before 2028 is becoming increasingly less likely.

Sources cited delays in military preparations due to the Chinese Communist Party's anti-corruption campaign and expectations about the results of Taiwan's 2028 presidential election as the background to this judgment.