China has called on the United States to immediately cease its arms sales to the Taiwan region and halt any actions that threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, according to a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The statement was made in response to the U.S. Defense Department’s announcement on October 26 that the U.S. State Department has approved a $1.988 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The package includes National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and radar systems.
The spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique of 1982. “The sales infringe on China\’s sovereignty and security interests, harm China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and send a gravely wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” the spokesperson stated.
China expressed strong condemnation and firm opposition to these sales and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. government.
The spokesperson added that the U.S. decision to arm Taiwan as part of an effort to contain China and advance a “Taiwan independence” agenda contradicts U.S. leaders’ commitments not to support “Taiwan independence” and undermines efforts to stabilize China-U.S. relations.
China urged the United States to stop arming Taiwan and cease any actions that destabilize the Taiwan Straits. The spokesperson emphasized that China will take resolute countermeasures and all necessary actions to firmly defend its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
Reference(s):
China urges U.S. to cease arming Taiwan region: FM spokesperson
cgtn.com
