China resolutely opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese military expressed firm opposition on Wednesday to a planned U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan, and lodged solemn representations to the U.S.

Taiwan is part of China, and China resolutely opposes the sale of weapons by any country to Taiwan and opposes any country's military ties with Taiwan, said Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's National Defense Ministry.

Wu's comment came after the U.S. State Department approved possible military arms sales of 500 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan on April 15. 

The U.S. move has severely violated the one-China principle and regulations of three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, interfered with China's domestic affairs and harmed China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously damaged China-U.S. ties, relations between the two militaries, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Wu said.

He urged the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and regulations of the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, immediately revoke arms sales to Taiwan, and stop military contact with Taiwan including arms sales, so as not to further damage the China-U.S. ties, relations between the two militaries, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

He said the Chinese military has steadfast determination, full confidence and sufficient capacity to defeat any forms of external interference and Taiwan separatist acts, firmly defend China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.