China Against US Arms Sales Proposal To Taiwan

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Friday (23/02/2024) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Beijing opposes the "potential" of US$75 million worth of arms sales to Taiwan, and calls it a step that will undermine China's sovereignty and security interests.

"The sale of US weapons to Taiwanese territory of China strongly violates the principles of one-China and three communicants with China-US, especially the provisions of the Community on August 17, 1982," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, February 24.

Such sales "weaken China's sovereignty and security interests, as well as harm US-China relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he continued.

The US State Department has reportedly approved the potential sale of an advanced tactical data link update planned for Taiwan.

"China has always firmly opposed it. We urge the US to seriously adhere to China's first principles and the provisions of the three communiques with China-US, stop selling weapons to Taiwan and engage in military contact with Taiwan, and stop creating factors that can cause tension in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Mao Ning said China would take "strong and firm steps" to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Regarding the comments of visiting US lawmakers that Washington will continue to support Taiwan, whoever will become the next US president, Mao Ning said Beijing refused US interference in Taiwan's affairs in any form and under any pretext.

"Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory. China opposes any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwanese authorities, and rejects US interference in Taiwan's affairs in any form and under any pretext," he continued.

He said his country urged the US to pay attention to "extremal complexities and sensitivities of Taiwan's problems, stop official contact with Taiwan, and stop sending the wrong signal to " separatist forces" for "Taiwan independence."