China strongly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, lodges solemn protests: spokesperson

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday said it's strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and it has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side.

The remarks came after the United States said on Friday that a potential sale of spare parts for F-16 jets and radars to Taiwan for an estimated $385 million was approved. 

Calling the decision inconsistent with U.S. leaders' commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the sales are a severe breach of the international law, send a gravely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and are detrimental to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

"We call on the U.S. to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop abetting and supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces in seeking 'Taiwan independence' by building up its military," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website. "China will take strong and resolute countermeasures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."

While the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Sunday warned Lai Ching-te's administration that squandering money on weapons is not making Taiwan any safer.

Clinging to the United States to seek "independence" is doomed to failure and any attempt to "seek independence by force" will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war, a statement released by the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and no individual or force should underestimate the Chinese people's firm will and strong capacity to defend their own national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement added.