China Condemns US Military Assistance Approval for Taiwan Region

IRrespective of the size, US military aid to the Taiwan region will not shake China one bit from its firm determination to resist "Taiwan independence" and protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a Chinese spokesman said on Monday.

A statement published on the White House website has announced the US decision to grant military aid to the Taiwan region worth around 567 million dollars.

When questioned on a relevant question during a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that by supplying weapons to the Taiwan region, the United States again seriously violated the 'One China' principle and the three China-US joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique.

It actually aims to embolden Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, and Democratic Progressive Party authorities in their tenacious pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and challenge the one-China principle, Lin said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lin concluded that the secessionist activities by "Taiwan independence" forces supported by US-led external forces are the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and cause the most damage to the status quo of the Strait.

"Taiwan independence" is a blind alley, and insistence by the US side on using force to support "Taiwan independence" will only end in failure, Lin said.
"We urged the US side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and halt any form of arming the Taiwan region with weapons," Lin said.

In the August 17 Communique issued in 1982, the United States "reiterates that it has no intention of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, or interfering in China's internal affairs, or pursuing a policy of 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan'."

In addition, in the communique, Washington announces that it "intends gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan."