TOKYO, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- China on Monday urged the US to immediately stop its planned arms sales to Taiwan and cease military contact with Taiwan, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang made the comments in response to US planned sales of F-16V fighter jets worth USD eight billion to Taiwan, reiterating that the move severely violates the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques.
"China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan as it seriously interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's sovereignty and security interests," Geng was quoted as saying in Beijing.
The spokesman said the Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests.
"China urges the US side to fully recognize the highly detrimental nature of the planned arms sales, and abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques," said Geng.
China and Taiwan separated after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still sees the island as its territory. The US ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, but has remained its arms supplier. (end) mk.rk