China warned on Thursday that Taiwan's decision to host a US defense industry forum next week would bring "wolves" into its territory, accusing the US military-industrial complex of exporting war for profit. Although the United States is Taiwan's primary arms supplier, the absence of formal diplomatic relations frequently sparks tensions between Beijing and Washington.
The US-Taiwan Business Council and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council are jointly hosting the Taiwan-US Defense Industry Forum in Taipei on Wednesday, promoting collaboration between US and Taiwanese companies. The announcement of the forum has drawn significant concern from China, according to defense ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei.
Tan said during a monthly news briefing that the US military-industrial complexes have consistently sought to sell arms worldwide, export wars, and generate windfall profits. He criticized Taiwan's ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, for "bringing wolves into the home" and warned that such actions would only result in significant disaster for the Taiwanese people.
Steven Rudder, former commander of US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, is slated to deliver the keynote opening address at the Taipei event, as stated by the organizers.
In recent times, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan in an attempt to pressure the democratic island into accepting Beijing's sovereignty, including conducting war games this month. Taiwan's government, however, rejects China's territorial claims and maintains that the island's people are the only ones who can determine their future.
