Defense ministry decries US approval of potential arms sales to Taiwan

China expressed firm opposition and lodged a solemn representation to the United States after the country approved a new round of potential arms sales to Taiwan, China's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that the move is turning Taiwan into a "powder keg".

Last week, the US State Department approved the possible sale of ammunition and logistics support to Taiwan in two separate deals worth a combined $440 million.

Tan Kefei, the Defense Ministry spokesperson, said that the US has disregarded China's core concerns, flagrantly interfered in China's internal affairs and deliberately escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

"This is doing nothing but turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg' and pushing its people into the abyss of disaster," he said. "We demand that the US adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, immediately cease arms sales to Taiwan and halt any form of military collusion with Taiwan."

The spokesman urged the US to "genuinely" fulfill its commitments of not supporting "Taiwan independence", and refrain from walking further down the "wrong and dangerous" path.

Tan said that the US' plans to use Taiwan to contain the Chinese mainland, along with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities' efforts to seek independence, are destined to fail.

He warned that the People's Liberation Army is always vigilant and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity while striving to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.