China urges U.S. to approach Taiwan question with utmost prudence

A spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Saturday urged the United States to approach the Taiwan question with utmost prudence.

Chen Binhua made the remarks in response to a query concerning the recently announced $330-million arms sale by the U.S. to Taiwan.

Chen said that China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region and that the position is consistent and clear. He said the move seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests and sends a gravely wrong signal to Taiwan separatist forces.

He urged the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, stop condoning and supporting separatist forces, and handle the Taiwan question with utmost prudence.

Chen said that "Taiwan secession" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible. Since Lai Ching-te took office, the authorities have repeatedly sought favor abroad, pursued militarization and squandered taxpayers' money, even at the cost of turning Taiwan into a "powder keg" and endangering the safety and well-being of Taiwan's people.

He warned the Lai administration that seeking secession by relying on external forces or by building up arms is a dead end. China, he said, will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.