China Concerned with Taiwan's Plan to Buy U.S. Destroyers

China Tuesday voiced its deep concern over Taiwan's plan to buy Aegis destroyers from the United States, said foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao at a routine news conference.

Zhu said China has taken noticeof recent reports on the planned purchase.

He pointed out it is the common aspiration of all the Chinese people including the Taiwan patriots to realize the complete reunification of the motherland at an early date. Such a planned purchase of the Taiwan authorities, which is against the historical trend and futile, not only harms the relaxation of cross-straits relations, but is also detrimental to peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. It is doomed to failure, he noted.

He pointed out the Chinese government and people are firmly opposed to U.S.' arms sales to Taiwan, and U.S.' provision of any theater missile defense system or related technology, equipment, and coordinating system to Taiwan. Such a position of the Chinese side is steadfast, he stressed.

"We strongly demand that the U.S. strictly abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and related commitments, and clearly commit itself not to sell Aegis destroyers and Patriot-III anti-ballistic system to Taiwan," Zhu said.

He also urged the U.S. not to do anything which would lead to tension between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, obstruct China's reunification cause and obstruct the steady progress of Sino-U.S. relations


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