US to send security delegation to China ahead of Hegseth visit
Elbridge Colby is expected to lead the delegation to Beijing within weeks to finalize arrangements for a potential visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though China has signaled the trip hinges on Washington's decision regarding a stalled $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan.
The United States is preparing to dispatch a high-level security delegation to China within weeks, led by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, to pave the way for a potential visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The visit comes as Beijing has signaled it will not approve Hegseth's trip until Washington clarifies its position on a stalled $14 billion arms package for Taipei, the Financial Times reported Thursday. No timeline has been disclosed for either visit, and neither Washington nor Beijing has issued official confirmation regarding Colby's expected arrival.
Trump's Beijing visit
US President Donald Trump completed a three-day visit to Beijing last week, during which he held several meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, bilateral relations and Taiwan. Hegseth accompanied Trump as part of the presidential delegation — marking the first time a sitting US president and defense secretary have jointly visited China since the normalization of bilateral ties.
Taiwan arms dispute
China has indicated it cannot approve Hegseth's visit until Trump decides how to proceed with the stalled $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the Financial Times reported Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing's opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan remains "consistent and clear," responding to the report during a regular press briefing in Beijing.
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Trump announced Wednesday that he planned to speak with Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te regarding the stalled arms package. Guo stated Beijing's opposition to official exchanges and arms sales remains "consistent, clear and firm," urging Washington to "act on the important common understandings reached at the China-US summit" and handle the Taiwan question with prudence. Lai noted Thursday that he would welcome speaking with Trump.
Stalled weapons package
The weapons package, which includes missiles and air defense interceptors, has remained stalled at the State Department for months. China considers Taiwan its "breakaway province," while Taipei has maintained its independence since 1949, creating a persistent flashpoint in Washington's relations with Beijing.
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