China to impose sanctions on US firms involved in arms sale to Taiwan: FM
By Li Bowen
People's Daily app
1566375756000

China resolutely opposes the planned arms sale to Taiwan by the US and has lodged solemn representations and strong protests against the US, said Geng Shuang, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a regular press conference on Wednesday. 

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(Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

Geng stressed that China will take necessary countermeasures, including imposing sanctions on US companies involved to defend our interests. The U.S. Defense Department on Wednesday officially notified the U.S. Congress of the plan to sell 66 F-16 fighters and relevant equipment worth around 8 billion U.S. dollars to Taiwan and to provide support.

Geng said that Chinese government's position on Taiwan has always been clear and steadfast. The arms sale to Taiwan constitutes a serious violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. 

The US failed to abide by the One China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, especially the communique signed on Aug. 17, 1982. The US is interfering in China's politics and infringing upon China's sovereignty and core interests, said Geng. 

Geng emphasized that Taiwan concerns China's sovereignty and territory integrity.  The Taiwan issue is China's core interest and the US government must immediately withdraw its arms sale proposal and cut military ties with Taiwan.