China is reported to have delayed or blocked a planned Beijing visit by U.S. Pentagon official Elbridge Colby, according to reporting from Financial Times (US) and Mint (India). The visit is tied to discussions around a proposed $14 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan. Both outlets say Chinese authorities are withholding approval for the trip until the Trump administration clarifies whether it will proceed with the weapons sale.
The reports link the delay to China’s effort to influence U.S. policy on Taiwan-related military support. The proposed package described by Mint includes Patriot missile-related systems and NASAMS, both designed for air and missile defense. Financial Times adds that the Chinese government is pressing the U.S. administration by delaying greenlight for talks connected to the Taiwan arms plan.
Neither source indicates that the U.S. side has abandoned the proposal; instead, the coverage focuses on China’s decision to withhold consent for the visit pending a U.S. determination on whether to move forward with the package.
