China Urges U.S. to Stop Arms Sales to Taiwan


RIA Novosti
January 9, 2010


BEIJING- China urged the United States on Saturday to reverse its decision to sell arms to Taiwan, Xinhua reported.

The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan undermine China's national security as well as the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told the agency, stressing Beijing's "resolute opposition" to the sales.

This was China's sixth official warning over the issue in a week, as government officials denounced the U.S. move.

He Yafei said China had strongly protested the U.S. government's recent decision to allow Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin Corp. to sell weapons to Taiwan.

The sales plan was part of an arms package announced in October 2008 by the Bush administration, which included weapons and equipment such as Patriot III anti-missile systems.

He said the Taiwan issue was "the most important and sensitive issue at the core of Sino-U.S. relations."

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