China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to U.S. planned arms sale to Taiwan and urges the United States to revoke its decision immediately.
The U.S. State Department had approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets and other equipment, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
Wang Wenbing said the U.S. arms sale to China’s Taiwan region seriously violated the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982.
The sale also violated international law and basic norms governing international relations, undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests, and jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
“It sends a gravely wrong signal to separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence,’” Wang said.
The spokesperson said Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
He pointed out that the Taiwan question was purely China’s internal affair that brooks no foreign interference.
“China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, immediately revoke its planned arms sale to Taiwan.
“Stop arms sales to Taiwan and U.S.-Taiwan military contacts, and stop following the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Wang said.
He added that China would take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
