China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to planned arms sales to Taiwan and urges the United States to revoke its decision immediately.

The U.S. State Department had approved a possible $500 sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets and other equipment, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Wang Wenbing said the U.S. arms sale to China’s Taiwan region seriously violated the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communique, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982.

The sale violated international law and basic international relations norms, undermined China’s sovereignty and security interests, and jeopardised peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

“Stop arms sales to Taiwan and U.S.-Taiwan military contacts, and stop following the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Mr Wang said.

“It sends a gravely wrong signal to separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’.”

The spokesperson said Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

He pointed out that the Taiwan question was purely China’s internal affair that brooks no foreign interference.

“China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, immediately revoke its planned arms sale to Taiwan,” he said.

He added that China would take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(Xinhua/NAN)