Chinese military strongly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese military strongly opposes the United States selling $330 million worth of military hardware to Taiwan, and demands the US immediately cancel the deal, the Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the US State Department approved the sale of $330 million worth of military parts to Taiwan, including F-16 fighter jets and C-130 cargo planes, the department said in a statement.

"The Chinese military is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes the deal," the ministry said, adding it has lodged "solemn representations" with the US.

"Taiwan is part of China, and the one-China policy is the political bedrock of Sino-US relations," the statement said. The arms sale to Taiwan has seriously violated the one-China policy, interfered with China's domestic affairs, and harmed Chinese sovereignty and security interests.

It also severely damages Sino-US military relations and bilateral ties, as well as peace and security in the Taiwan Straits, it added.

The Chinese military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We strongly urge the US side to adhere to the one-China policy and stipulations in the three Sino-US joint communiques," the ministry said.

The Chinese military demands the US side immediately cancel the deal, and stop all arms sales and military exchanges with Taiwan, so as to prevent additional damage to Sino-US military relations and bilateral ties, as well as peace and security in the Taiwan Straits, it added.