China has reiterated its firm stance on Taiwan, urging the United States to cease providing military aid in the run-up to crucial general elections on the self-ruled island. Following two days of military talks in Washington, the Chinese side emphasized its unwillingness to compromise on the Taiwan issue, demanding that the US adhere to the one-China principle, cease arming Taiwan, and refrain from supporting its independence.

The statement comes just days before Chinese Taipei's pivotal general elections, potentially influencing the island's political alignment with or distancing from Beijing. While China considers Taiwan part of its territory, US-backed secessionists on the island maintain their independence.

China expressed a willingness to develop healthy military relations with the United States based on equality and respect, marking the first military talks since 2021. The talks were reinstated following an agreement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden during a November meeting. Earlier attempts by top US officials to reconcile relations had proven unsuccessful.

Taiwan remains a contentious issue in the broader power struggle between China and the US for dominance in the Asia-Pacific region. The resumption of military talks follows a cancellation in 2022 as a protest against a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, prompting China to threaten "targeted military actions" in response.