China says arms sale to Taiwan to undermine bilateral ties, military cooperation with US

September 22, 2011 | World News | Written by

Beijing, Sept 22: China has said that the US’ latest decision to sell arms to Taiwan, and to upgrade its existing fleet of F-16 fighter planes will inevitably damage Sino-U.S. relations.

On arms sales to Taiwan, China has always maintained a clear and persistent stance of stout opposition, and now the sale will undermine the political trust between the two countries, Xinhua reports.

“The wrongdoing by the US side will inevitably undermine bilateral relations as well as exchanges and cooperation in military and security areas,” said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun.

According to the report, Zhijun also asked the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan, halt military relations with Taiwan and work with Chinese side to jointly safeguard the overall situation of Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

China has every reason to safeguard its national sovereignty and integrity, and by no means would it make any compromise on the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan, and the deal will definitely face China’s firm opposition, the report said. (ANI)