China strongly condemns U.S. plan to sell massive advanced weapons Taiwan：FM

(ECNS) -- China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the U.S. plan to sell massive advanced weapons to China's Taiwan region, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a press conference on Thursday.

According to media reports, the U.S. has announced a package of arms sales to Taiwan worth up to $11 billion, making it one of the largest sales.

In response, Guo said this move grossly violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, infringes on China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and sends a gravely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The spokesperson said the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the island attempt to advance their independence agenda and resist reunification through military buildup, squander the taxpayers' money to purchase weapons, and even risk turning Taiwan into a "powder keg." Such moves will not reverse the inevitable failure of "Taiwan independence," and will only push the Taiwan Strait into the danger of military conflict at a faster pace. For the U.S., assisting the "independence" agenda by arming Taiwan will only backfire, and using Taiwan to contain China will never succeed.

"The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations," the spokesperson added.

He noted that no one shall underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. "China urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, act on its leaders' serious commitments, and immediately stop the dangerous act of arming Taiwan. China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," he said.

(By Evelyn)