China strongly condemns US arms sales to Taiwan

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Friday expressed strong opposition to the recent decision by the United States to sell military equipment worth about $440 million to Taiwan to build its military capability against the mainland.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of ammunition and logistics support to Taiwan in two separate deals valued up to $440 million on Thursday, including high-explosive incendiary-tracer rounds.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a statement that the mainland opposes any form of official exchanges and military ties between the US and the Taiwan region, as well as the sale of weapons to Taiwan.

She urged the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three joint communiqués between China and the US, and to put an end to arms sales to Taiwan and any form of military contacts.

"An increasing number of Taiwan people have come to realize that the US is turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg' and an 'ammunition depot', rather than providing protection," Zhu said.

"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan are spending the hard-earned money of the people to please the US, which will only push the people of Taiwan into a dangerous and volatile situation," she said.