China urges the United States to stop selling arms to the Taiwan region and cease military contacts with the island, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
According to the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at $750 million.
The spokesperson in a statement voiced firm opposition to the U.S. acts, saying China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side.
Stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, the spokesperson accused the U.S. of interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China's sovereignty and security interests by selling arms to the Taiwan region.
"It runs counter to international law and basic principles in international relations, and violates the one-China principle and provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communique, especially the August 17 Communique," the statement read.
The spokesperson also pointed out the U.S. side sends wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and severely jeopardizes China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.
The spokesperson urged the U.S. side to honor its commitment, earnestly abide by the one-China policy and the three China-U.S. joint communique, and immediately revoke relevant arms sales to Taiwan, lest it should cause more damages to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.
China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter measures in light of the development of the situation, the spokesperson added.
Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Thursday also voiced resolute objection to the U.S. arms sale plan.
Ma warned the U.S. not to undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and not to jeopardize the welfare of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
He also warned that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority's attempt to "rely on the U.S. to seek independence" and "use force to resist reunification" will only bring disaster to people in Taiwan.
Commenting on the deal, China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday voiced strong opposition and urged the U.S. to prudently handle issues regarding the Taiwan question.
Wu Qian, spokesperson for the ministry, urged the U.S. to cease arms sales to Taiwan and military contact with the island to avoid further damages to China-U.S. military ties and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.
Chinese People's Liberation Army has the resolution, will and ability to crush any form of external interference and any attempt to split Taiwan from China, said Wu, adding that China will take all necessary means to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.