China on Tuesday urged the United States to immediately withdraw arms sales to Taiwan and sever military ties with the island.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang speaks at a press conference in Beijing on July 9, 2019. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the comments in response to U.S. planned sales of weapons worth 2.22 billion U.S. dollars to Taiwan, including M1A2 Abrams tanks and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

"The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan severely violate international law, the basic norms governing international relations, the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques," Geng said. "It grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's sovereignty and security interests."

The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes such actions, and have lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side, Geng said at a press conference.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Geng said, adding that no one should underestimate the strong will and firm determination of the Chinese government and people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposing foreign interference.

"China urges the United States to honor its commitment to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, immediately withdraw the aforementioned planned arms sales to and sever military ties with Taiwan to avoid further damage to bilateral relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," said the spokesperson.