Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The daily column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events. 

On August 4, the Biden administration announced its first sale of arms, worth $750 million, to Taiwan. The move is part of a broader campaign by Washington and others to salami slice their commitments to the one-China policy. They are progressively and subtly advancing the cause of "Taiwan independence" and intruding on China's sovereignty while officially proclaiming not to do so.

The United States is undermining peace, stability and security in the Taiwan Strait through its enabling of separatists and pushing against China's firmly stated red lines. It will not be tolerated. China's commitment to reunification is inalienable, unwavering and uncompromising. While China is committed to doing so via a peaceful means, Washington is making this increasingly difficulty through its reckless and provocative actions that attempt to change the balance of power and shift the goalposts.

Since Joe Biden took office, the U.S. stepped up its effort over time. U.S. military planes have landed three times in Taiwan. Its naval vessels passed through the Taiwan Strait seven times this year. U.S. senators have visited Taiwan and claimed that "America won't abandon Taiwan." If there's anyone trying to light the powder keg, it is the United States.

Western political theory advocates the belief that "universal values" supersede the norm of national sovereignty and that such countries have a divine right to interfere in the affairs of others and change them to suit their ideological preferences. This form of thinking has frequently been used as a justification for expansionism and imperialism by these countries in order to economically dominate and subjugate others, not least China. The West believes that, in the name of "liberal democracy," they have a right to balkanize and divide China by enabling separatist movements in various territories, including in Taiwan.

The U.S. and its allies are basing their whole Taiwan strategy on the belief that China will simply cry foul with each step, but not act, allowing the status quo to be hollowed out. This is wrong. When the situation demands it, China will significantly increase its presence in the region in order to prevent the status quo from being peeled away, and is prepared to take serious steps to bring offending parties to heel.

And in face of such an intrusive ideology, China has to back up its sovereign rights and claims with a deterrent backed by the credible threat of force. If the West doesn't accept China's point of view as legitimate or equal to their own, then the only thing that can make them take it seriously is through a display of national power and the ability to respond to its red lines being crossed.

The impetus will always be peace. But the U.S. and certain politicians in Taiwan are undermining that peace. China's resolve towards reunification is absolutely unshakable and it is prepared to make sacrifices in order to protect its national sovereignty and integrity.

To assume that China is incapable or unwilling to act to make its sovereignty over Taiwan known is wrong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed "legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation." A clear message to the offenders is sent: Stop undermining China's sovereignty by messing with Taiwan or face the dire consequences of trampling on China's red lines and underestimating China's will. Taiwan is a part of China and is not anyone's playground to wreak havoc and destruction in the pursuit of hegemony. Act wisely, and cease enabling Taiwan separatists immediately.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)