Taiwan criticized over US defense deal

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council [Photo provided to China Daily]

A Chinese mainland spokesman voiced strong opposition on Friday to new military aid for Taiwan, worth up to $80 million, that has recently been approved by the United States to strengthen the island's "defense" capability, saying that the act would only bring Taiwan into a dangerous place.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks after the US approved a military transfer to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing program, which is usually used for sovereign states.

"We firmly oppose the US supplying arms to Taiwan region," said Chen, urging the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and to stop supplying arms to the island immediately.

He also condemned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, who stubbornly adhere to the separatist position of "Taiwan independence" and spend the hard-earned money of the Taiwan people on buying weapons from the US.

"What the DPP authorities have done would only make Taiwan more dangerous and make Taiwan compatriots more worried," he added.

Chen said that "no matter how many weapons the DPP authorities buy from the US, they cannot shake our firm will to resolve the Taiwan question and complete national reunification, nor can they withstand our strong ability to crush the 'Taiwan independence' attempt and safeguard national sovereignty."