Beijing has threatened severe repercussions—described as ‘annihilation’—for forces in Taiwan that might consider using American-supplied missile systems to launch attacks against mainland China. The warning comes in response to reports that Taiwan's administration is contemplating the deployment of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) launchers equipped with ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) on closer islets. This situation is escalating tensions in the already fraught cross-strait relations, where any military advancements are viewed as provocations by Beijing.

Chinese military spokesman Jiang Bin has criticized the idea of deploying these missile systems closer to the Chinese mainland, labeling such thoughts as increasingly absurd and overconfident. He specifically pointed to the proponents of formal independence for Taiwan, indicating that their plans risk provoking a military conflict. Jiang’s remarks underscore Beijing’s aggressive stance on the Taiwan issue and its readiness to respond forcefully to any perceived threats, particularly from the US arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing views as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.

Taipei has taken significant steps towards enhancing its offensive military capabilities, having ordered 82 HIMARS systems and 420 ATACMS missiles through an $11.1 billion arms deal with the United States. This acquisition aims to bolster Taiwan's deterrence capacity against the Chinese military, which continues to expand and modernize at a rapid pace. The ongoing military transactions between the US and Taiwan not only heighten the existing tensions but also draw the attention of the international community towards the strategic significance of the Taiwan Strait in global geopolitics.