Chinese defense ministry condemns US arms sales to Taiwan
10 Oct 2008, 1135 Hrs

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Beijing, Oct.10 The United States' decision to sell arms to Taiwan has been strongly condemned by the Chinese defence ministry,

Huang Xueping, a spokesman of the Chinese Defense Ministry, reacting to Pentagon spokesman Stuart Upton's remarks on Monday that Washington's arms sales were consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, said: "We are strongly dissatisfied and opposed to the Pentagon spokesman's remarks. The so-called 'Taiwan Relations Act' severely ran counter to the principles of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués and the fundamental norms governing international relations."

He added the United States had no right to place domestic law above international ones, or use it as an excuse to sell weapons to Taiwan.

"The U.S. side carped at China's righteous national defense building, which was totally confounding right and wrong to mislead the public," said the spokesman.

He said China firmly takes the road of peaceful development and follows an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

Concerning bilateral military ties, he said China has made positive and concerted efforts over the years to strengthen military exchanges with the United States. The U.S. side should take full responsibilities for the current situation."

The spokesman also called on the United States to abide by its commitments for China on the Taiwan issue, cancel relevant arms sale programs to Taiwan immediately and cut off military ties with the island, to prevent harming the overall bilateral military ties. (ANI)