China slams U.S. arms sales to Taiwan region as 'dangerous bet'

A Chinese military spokesperson warned on Friday that the United States' attempts to arm China's Taiwan region are a "very dangerous bet," and urged the U.S. to stop selling arms to Taiwan or having any military contact with it.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in a statement in response to reports that the U.S. Department of State had approved the potential sale to Taiwan of advanced tactical data link system upgrade planning worth $75 million.

"We firmly oppose the U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region. It is a firm and clear-out position," said Zhang.

The U.S. has been manipulating Taiwan-related issues in attempts such as arms sales and military assistance to the Taiwan region so as to fuel the arrogance of "Taiwan independence" forces, he said.

Such moves have gravely undermined China's sovereignty and security interests, seriously damaged China-U.S. relations and their military-to-military relationship, bluntly interfered China's internal affairs and escalated tensions across the Taiwan Straits, said Zhang.

"The Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, and the U.S. arming of Taiwan is a very dangerous bet," he warned.

The Chinese side urges the U.S. to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, said Zhang.

The U.S. must stop selling arms to Taiwan or having military contact with it, stop arming Taiwan in whatever means, and stop the provocative behaviors of "using Taiwan to contain China," he said, calling for the U.S. to take real actions to preserve the overall relationship between China and the U.S. and their militaries and safeguard regional peace and stability.

China will take strong and resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.

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China urges U.S. to stop arms sales to Taiwan region

(Cover: Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan. /Xinhua)