China warns US again over arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese military strongly opposes recent arms sales by the United States to Taiwan and urges the US to reverse its decision, Ministry of National Defense spokesman, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei said on Thursday.

Tan said weapons and defense technology transactions between the US and Taiwan severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the Aug 17, 1982 Communiqué in which the US promises to gradually reduce its arms sale to Taiwan.

He said that the moves are brazen interference in China's internal affairs, seriously damage China's sovereignty and security, and gravely jeopardize peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and therefore, China expresses strong indignation and opposition.

On Wednesday, the US announced the sale of $120 million in spare ship parts and other equipment, the fourth arms package to Taiwan approved under US President Joe Biden.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China must and will complete its unification. We demand that the US withdraw the arms sale immediately, drop military ties with Taiwan, and stop sending misleading messages to ‘Taiwan independence' forces to avoid further damage to diplomatic and military relations between China and the US," Tan said.

The spokesman also warned the Democratic Progressive Party, the ruling party in Taiwan, and foreign parties that plans to rely on foreign interference to achieve "independence" are headed down a dead-end road.

The People's Liberation Army will thwart any foreign interference and attempts to achieve "Taiwan independence" to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.