China protests US arms sales to Taiwan
By IANSThursday, January 7, 2010
BEIJING - Warning of “severe consequences”, China Thursday cautioned the US against inking any long-term deal to sell weapons to Taiwan.
“China firmly opposes arms sales to Taiwan by the United States. Our stance is consistent and clear,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a press conference here.
The remarks came amid reports that the US Defence Department had announced Wednesday a contract for selling its advanced ‘Patriot’ missiles to Taiwan.
Beijing insisted that Taiwan issues concern its core interests and asked the US to cancel planned arms sales so as to avoid undermining China-US cooperation.
“We urge the US to clearly recognise the severe consequences of arms sales to Taiwan and adhere to the three Sino-US joint communiques, especially the principles established in the Joint Communique on Aug 17, 1982,” Jiang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
The 1982 pact bans US against carrying out any long-term policy of weapons trade with Taiwan and intends to gradually reduce arms sales to the country.
