Mainland asks US to stop arming Taiwan

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Thursday urged the United States to immediately cease arming Taiwan and to stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, calling for concrete actions to fulfill its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence".

The statement followed a statement issued on Tuesday by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, announcing the approval by the US State Department of a military sale to Taiwan for the return, repair, and reshipment of spare parts for aircraft and related equipment, with an estimated cost totaling $228 million. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan said that this would help enhance Taiwan's "self-defense" capabilities.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized the repeated weapon sales by the US to Taiwan, saying that it seriously violated the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, severely infringing upon China's sovereignty and security interests.

He expressed support for authorities' decision to impose sanctions on nine US military-industrial companies.

"Taiwan independence" poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and is a major source of instability in the Asia-Pacific, Chen said.

Since taking office, the Lai Ching-te administration has persistently adhered to a separatist stance, attempting to achieve "independence" and resist reunification through military means, escalating cross-Strait confrontations, he said.

"We have firm determination, full confidence, and sufficient capabilities to crush the provocations of 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," he added.