Mainland calls on US to stop arming Taiwan region

The Chinese mainland urged Washington on Monday to immediately cease arming the Taiwan region in all forms and reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity after the United States approved $567 million in defense support for the island, the latest move to boost its military capabilities.

"The US once again providing weaponry to the Taiwan region seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a daily news briefing.

Lin said the move, in essence, is to "support and embolden" the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and provocation against the one-China principle.

"Such move once again proves that the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the greatest disruption to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait are the separatist activities of the ‘Taiwan independence' forces and the connivance and support they receive from external forces led by the US," Lin said.

He cautioned that the "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and the US' persistent backing of this so-called independence through military means will ultimately backfire.

Regardless of the quantity of arms the US supplies to Taiwan, China's resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence" will remain unwavering, Lin said, urging Washington to faithfully adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques.