China demands US to clarify arms sale report
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-04-15 17:47

China has demanded that the United States clarify the report by Taiwan media on US arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan media reported that the United States inclined to sell submarines, Patriot-III anti-missile system and anti-submarine planes to Taiwan, and the island is ready to propose a budgetary program for the sales.

The US arms sales to Taiwan violate the three Sino-US joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Joint Communique, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Thursday.

The move "interferes with China's internal affairs and may lead to further tension in situation across the Taiwan Straits," the spokesman said, adding that China has been opposing arms sales to Taiwan.

Chinese leaders have reiterated the stance to US Vice-President Dick Cheney during his China tour, Kong said.

"We urged the US side to honor its commitments, stop arms sales to Taiwan and stop any words or deeds in violation of the principles in the three joint communiques to avoid sabotaging the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the development of Sino-US relations," Kong said.