DPP's weapons purchase a self-consoling act to pander to the U.S.: defense spokesperson

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that may once again request to purchase weapons from the United States, calling it "nothing more than pandering to the United States and seeking self-consolation."

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query concerning the DPP's plan to purchase E-2D airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft from the United States.

The DPP authorities are buying weapons with hard-earned money of the Taiwan people, Zhang said, adding that it is an act of complete betrayal detrimental to the interests of the people in Taiwan.

"We firmly oppose any official U.S. interaction and military contact with China's Taiwan region," Zhang said.

He urged the U.S. side to truly abide by the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.