China has reacted sharply to the US State Department's decision to approve the sale of approximately $330 million worth of military equipment to Taiwan. The package concerns non-standard aircraft parts and maintenance for selected types of aircraft. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, commented on the situation at a regular briefing.
Reporter: According to foreign media reports, the United States has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of about $330 million, including non-standard aircraft parts and maintenance of matching aircraft models. What is your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: The sale of US arms to Taiwan seriously violates the One China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués. It is a gross interference in China's internal affairs that harms its sovereignty and security interests, and sends a very bad signal to the separatist forces supporting „Taiwan independence“. We are deeply dissatisfied with this, we firmly reject it and we have lodged a strong protest with the United States.
It should be pointed out, Zhang Xiaogang pointed out, that „use of force in support of independence“ will eventually turn against the one who reaches out to him, and efforts to „using Taiwan to suppress China“ they can't succeed. We urge the US to immediately stop its unfortunate move to arm Taiwan and to prevent the disruption of relations between the two countries and their militaries. We also strongly warn the DPP authorities that spending the hard-earned money of the Taiwanese people on arms is self-destructive and their attempts to „pursuit of independence through foreign aid“ or „resistance to unification by force“ are doomed to failure. We will take all necessary measures to firmly protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
