China has expressed firm opposition to the U.S. approval of an arms sale deal worth $95 million to Taiwan, saying it would take firm and forceful measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.

The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, China. (Photo: Xinhua)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that the arms sale deal has severely encroached upon China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, damaged China-US relations and endangered peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

China urges the U.S. side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, cease arms sales and military interactions with Taiwan.