Beijing slams US over planned $11 billion Taiwan arms sale

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to immediately stop "arming Taiwan" after the US State Department authorized an $11 billion arms sale to the island on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Washington's decision undermines China's sovereignty and security interests and sends a wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Calling the authorization of the massive arms sale a "blatant interference in China's internal affairs," Chen said it seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, particularly the Aug 17 Communique of 1982.

"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn this," Chen said, demanding that the US immediately stop "arming Taiwan" and cease supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Chen urged Washington to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, honor the commitments made by US leaders, and handle the Taiwan question with the utmost caution.

Chen also criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan for their stubborn pursuit of "independence" by relying on the US and military means, and for repeatedly hyping their so-called "determination for self-defense."

"They are turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg' and an 'ammunition depot,' and sacrificing the people of Taiwan as 'cannon fodder' for 'Taiwan independence,'" he said, warning that such actions would only bring grave disaster to the people of Taiwan.

Chen issued a stern warning to the DPP authorities, stressing that national reunification is inevitable. "If the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces dare to cross the red line, we will resolutely strike back," he said.

The largest-ever US weapons package for Taiwan, including missiles, howitzers and drones, announced on Wednesday, is still pending congressional approval.