China slams US over arms sale to Taiwan

A spokesperson with China's foreign ministry has slammed the United States State Department's approval of arms sale to Taiwan, saying that China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation.

In an online response on Thursday, the spokesperson said the action jeopardized China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

The spokesperson said Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and the US has interfered in China's internal affairs and undermined China's sovereignty and security interests by selling arms to Taiwan region.

"It runs counter to international law and basic principles in international relations, and violates the one-China principle and provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique,” the spokesperson said, adding that the action has sent wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Beijing is firmly opposed to this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side, the spokesperson said, adding that China urges the US side to honor its commitment and earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques.

The spokesperson said the US must stop arms sales to and military interactions with Taiwan, and immediately revoke relevant arms sales to Taiwan, "lest it should cause more damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits".