Mainland says it firmly opposes US' arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese mainland is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the United States' arms sales to China's Taiwan region, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

In response to a query concerning recent US plans to sell arms to Taiwan region, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, noted such arms sales seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique of 1982.

China has lodged solemn representations with the US side over the matter, Zhang said.

The spokesperson said "Taiwan independence" separatist activities were the most destructive elements to peace across the Taiwan Strait, and pointed out that the US has sent "wrong signals" to the separatist forces, pushing the region into a dangerous situation and seriously jeopardizing the safety and well-being of Taiwan's residents.

Zhang emphasized that Taiwan region's security depends on the peaceful development of cross-straits relations. "The US-made weapons are not a 'talisman' for the Democratic Progressive Party authorities."

Stressing the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations, Zhang urged the US side to honor its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence", stop military collusion and stop arming the region in any form.

He also called on the US to take practical actions to maintain the stable, healthy and sustainable development of the relationship with China and between the countries' respective militaries.

The People's Liberation Army will take decisive and forceful measures to resolutely frustrate any separatist attempts and interference by external forces, he added.