Trump administration tells Congress it plans to sell F-16 fighters to Taiwan

World Today

Trump administration tells Congress it plans to sell F-16 fighters to TaiwanLt. Col Mike Cosby, 177th Fighter Wing commander, flies an F-16C block 25 aircraft from Tyndall AFB, Fla., to Atlantic City International Airport, N.J.. The wing participated in Combat Archer training at Tyndall AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt. Don Taggart)

The Trump administration has informed Congress it plans to sell F-16 fighters worth $8 billion to Taiwan.  China on Friday opposed US arms sales to Taiwan and lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks when asked to comment on the situation that the US has been advancing the sale of 8 billion US dollars of F-16V fighters to Taiwan. 

Hua said the U.S. side has seriously violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the Aug. 17 communique, adding that it has interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined China’s sovereignty and security interests. 

Stressing that the Taiwan issue concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and involves China’s core interests, Hua urged the U.S. side to fully recognize the highly sensitive and harmful nature of the relevant issue, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques. 

She urged the U.S. to stop arms sales to and military contact with Taiwan, otherwise, the Chinese side will certainly take countermeasures and the U.S. will be responsible for all related consequences.

Story compiled with information from Xinhua, AP and CGTN.