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China renews warning on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
2010-01-07 23:34

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday again warned the United States of the severe consequences caused by its arms sales to Taiwan, saying the move will undermine Sino-U.S. cooperation.

    "China firmly opposes arms sales to Taiwan by the United States. Our stance is consistent and clear," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular news briefing.

    Jiang's remarks came amid reports that the U.S. Defense Department had announced late Wednesday a contract for an unspecified number of advanced Patriot missiles to be sold to Taiwan.

    Jiang voiced the Chinese government's opposition to such sales at Tuesday's regular news briefing.

    China maintains Taiwan issues concern its core interests and has urged the United States to cancel planned arms sales so as to avoid undermining China-U.S. cooperation.

    "We urge the U.S. to clearly recognize the severe consequences of arms sales to Taiwan and adhere to the three Sino-US joint communiques, especially the principles established in the Joint Communique on Aug. 17, 1982," Jiang said.

    The "Aug. 17 communique" stated that the U.S. would not seek to carry out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, and intended to gradually reduce arms sales.

    "We have raised solemn representations to the U.S. side," said Jiang.

    U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remain a major obstacle to the growth of bilateral relations between China and the United States.

    "If the United States insists on taking its own way, that will impose negative impact on the long-term and healthy development ofChina-U.S. relations," said military expert Yang Yi.


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