Beijing has condemned Washington for its decision to sell about US$11 billion in weapons to Taiwan, calling it a grave violation of its sovereignty and a dangerous signal to separatist forces.
Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Chen Binhua said on Thursday that the sale amounted to “flagrant interference in China’s internal affairs”.
Chen said it also “gravely violates” the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, particularly the August 17 communique – a 1982 agreement in which the US pledged to gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan.
Advertisement
“[The decision] severely undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests and sends erroneous signals to separatist forces,” he said.
“We urge the United States to immediately cease its policy of arming Taiwan and to stop condoning and supporting separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence.
Advertisement
“We urge the United States to exercise the utmost caution in handling the Taiwan issue.”