China urges US to immediately cancel sale of arms worth $108 million to Taiwan: Report

In a significant development, China on Monday urged United States to immediately cancel sale of military-technical assistance to Taiwan worth an estimated $108 million (over Rs 860 crore). Furr, Chinese government also warned US "not to play with fire" on Taiwan issue. Speaking at a regular press conference, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for foreign ministry, stated that Beijing vehemently opposes US arms sales to Taiwan and urged Washington to abandon plan. 

"China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this, and has lodged solemn representations with US side," Wenbin said, CGTN news reported. He claimed that one-China principle and three joint communiques between China and US, particularly August 17 Communique, are gravely violated by US arms sales to Taiwan. Furrmore, it seriously jeopardises China's security and sovereignty interests, damages ties between two countries, and threatens regional peace and stability in Taiwan Straits, Wenbin ded. 

China asserts absolute sovereignty over Taiwan

Meanwhile, Chinese diplomat and spokesperson for Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council, Zhu Fenglian denounced action as a grave breach of US's pledge to not support Taiwan's independence. She claimed that ruling Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan would only serve to furr harm interests of Taiwan compatriots by using ir money to purchase weapons from US. Notably, China asserts absolute sovereignty over Taiwan, despite island's self-government for more than seven deces. However, Taipei has countered Chinese aggression by strengning strategic ties with democracies, particularly United States, which China frequently opposes. 

US approves sale of Air Defence System worth $95 million to Taiwan

Earlier in April this year, US also approved sale of training and equipment worth up to $95 million (over Rs 700 crores) to support Taiwan's Patriot missile defence system. According to US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), package comprised of training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance and associated equipment for Patriot Air Defense System.  DSCA, in a statement, noted that this proposed sale is in accordance with United States law and policy, as stated in Public Law 96-8.

Image: AP/Twitter/@iingwen