China strongly opposes US arms sale to Taiwan

The photo shows an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate. [File photo]

BEIJING - China's Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang on Wednesday summoned Kaye Lee, charge d'affaires of the US embassy in China, and made solemn representations to the United States over its arms sale to Taiwan.

Zheng made the statement shortly after the US administration announced a $1.83 billion arms sale package for Taiwan.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China strongly opposes the US arms sale to Taiwan," Zheng said.

The arms sale severely goes against international law and the basic norms of international relations, severely goes against the principles in the three China-US joint communiques, and severely harms China's sovereignty and security interests, he said.

"To safeguard our national interests, China has decided to take necessary measures, including imposing sanctions against the companies involved in the arms sale," Zheng said.

The US State Department said Raytheon RTN.N and Lockheed Martin were the main contractors for weapons in the sales authorized on Wednesday.

"No one can shake the firm will of the Chinese government and people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to oppose foreign interference," the vice minister said.

China urges the United States to abide by the clear commitment it has made in the three joint communiques, revoke the arms sale plan, and stop military contact with Taiwan, so as to avoid bringing further damage to China-US relations and bilateral cooperation in major areas, Zheng added.

The Obama administration formally notified Congress on Wednesday of the $1.83 billion arms sale package, including two frigates, anti-tank missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and other equipment. The authorization came a year after Congress passed legislation approving the sale. It is the first such major arms sale to Taiwan in more than four years.

The White House said there was no change in the longstanding US "one China" policy.