Q: The US Department of Defense recently announced the plan to sell three sets of Patriot II anti-missile equipment upgrade systems and affiliated equipments worth of 939 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan. Do you have any comment?

A: China firmly opposes to arms sales by the US Government to Taiwan. Our position in this regard is consistent and clear-cut. Regardless of China's solemn position and resolute opposition, the United States took wrong actions in a row to sell the P-3C anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the Patriot II anti-missile equipment upgrade systems and other advanced weapons to Taiwan. Such erroneous actions severely violate the US Government's serious commitments to China in the Joint Communiqué signed between the two countries on August 17, 1982, grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, endanger China's national security and peaceful reunification, and also disturb the improvement and development of China-US relations. China has already lodged strong protest and made solemn representations to the United States.

Currently, the situation in Taiwan is highly complicated and sensitive. Chen Shui-bian's obstinate promotion of a referendum on "UN membership", "joining the UN in the name of Taiwan" as well as other secessionist activities aimed at Taiwan independence severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. China urges the United States to take concrete actions to implement the three China-US Joint Communiqués, honor its solemn commitment to China on the Taiwan question, immediately cancel relevant arms sales plan, and stop arms sales to and military connection with Taiwan so as not to send any wrong signals to the secessionist forces for Taiwan independence. China reserves the rights to take further measures.