China denounces US arms sales to Taiwan
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-04-01 16:48

Beijing denounced a US plan to sell radar systems to Taiwan on Thursday, saying it broke its commitment to the one-China policy and sent the wrong signal to Taiwan independence seekers.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan denounces US arms sales plan to Taiwan at a regular press conference in Beijing, April 1, 2004. [newsphoto/file]

China has taken notice of relevant reporting, but will ask US side to clarify it, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.

"We have always opposed U.S. sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan," Kong told reporters in Beijing.

Taiwan is the most sensitive and important question in Sino-US ties. US arms sale to Taiwan is not in line with its one-China policy and the three joint communiques on bilateral relations, said the spokesman.

"Especially under the current complicated and sensitive situation across the Taiwan Strait, we ask the United States to be faithful to what it says and abide by its promises and not send the wrong signal to Taiwan's independence (seekers)."

Washington is Taiwan's biggest arms supplier. The Pentagon announced on Wednesday it planned to sell Taiwan long-range early-warning radar system that would detect ballistic or cruise missiles. The arms sale could worth as much as US$1.78 billion.

Also on Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Berlin to discuss bilateral and international issues.

Li urged the United States to adhere to the one-China policy as well as the three joint communiques on bilateral relations and oppose Taiwan independence.

The Chinese foreign minister urged the United States to adhere to the one-China policy as well as the three joint communiques on bilateral relations and oppose Taiwan independence.

Powell told Li that the US government will continuously uphold the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-US communiques and not support any form of Taiwan independence.

Beijing and Washington have planned a series of high-level exchanges this year. US Vice President Dick Cheney is to visit China this month, while Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi is to travel to the United States to attend a meeting of a U.S.-Chinese trade commission.

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