China strongly deplores, opposes latest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan region

China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the United States' approval of a large-scale arms sales plan to China's Taiwan region, saying the move seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, gravely harms China's sovereignty and security interests, and sends a seriously wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, on Friday said the U.S. announcement of massive arms sales to the Taiwan region has severely undermined China-U.S. strategic mutual trust. China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side. The complete reunification of China is an irreversible historical trend that no force can stop, the spokesperson stressed.

"Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, at the expense of the safety and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, are attempting to seek independence through military means by using the hard-earned money of ordinary people to benefit U.S. arms dealers, a path that will only lead to self-destruction, Jiang noted.

The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. side, by repeatedly reneging on its commitments and indulging and supporting "Taiwan independence," will inevitably bring trouble upon itself.

He urged the U.S. to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" and immediately stop arms sales to Taiwan.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will continue to strengthen combat readiness and take resolute measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly thwart "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities and external interference, the defense spokesperson said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Friday also voiced strong opposition, saying that the large-scale U.S. arms sales to Taiwan constitute a blatant interference in China's internal affairs and severely damage peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

China has lodged a stern protest with the U.S. at the earliest opportunity, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a daily press briefing in response to a related query.

The spokesperson reiterated that China's core interests brook no infringement, the Taiwan question tolerates no interference, and China's bottom line must not be crossed.

"Taiwan independence" is fundamentally incompatible with peace across the Taiwan Strait, and any attempt to arm Taiwan will face serious consequences, Guo warned.

He also said that the real threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait lies in "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities by the Lai Ching-te authorities and interference by external forces.

No matter how many advanced weapons are sold to China's Taiwan region, they cannot hinder the historical trend that China will eventually and surely be reunified, Guo stressed.

"No one or no force should underestimate the strong will and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Guo.