China/U.S. arms package for Taiwan -- 2 ("fundamental cause" of tensions)

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang said that so far, China has only heard reports of the U.S. decision to sell weapons to Taiwan and has not seen any formal decision. 	    However, she said that if, in disregard of opposition from China, the U.S. is bent on selling such sophisticated weapons to Taiwan, it would seriously violate the three joint Sino-U.S. communiques, seriously undermine Chinese sovereignty, constitute gross intervention in China's internal affairs and give rise to tension across the Taiwan Straits. 	    Zhang said that China has lodged representations with the U.S. on the issue of weapons sales to Taiwan on many occasions and will continue to do so. 	    However, when asked what retaliatory measures China might consider, she said: "It will be decided according to what the U.S. side does. If the tension rises across the Taiwan Straits, and peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region is undermined, then it can only be said that the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan is the root cause for it. The Chinese side will continue to make representations to the U.S. side and reserves all rights to take action on this issue."	    Zhang would not elaborate on comments by a Chinese embassy spokesman in the  U.S. that the sale of weapons to Taiwan would have a "devastating impact" on Sino-U.S. relations. However, she said the Taiwan question had always been the most sensitive and most important issue at the core of China-U.S. relations and that the "proper handling" of the issue was extremely important to the maintenance of bilateral relations. 	    "The Chinese side strongly urges the U.S. side to abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and relevant commitments by the U.S. side, exercise prudence on the question of arms sales to Taiwan so as not to give new harm to Sino-U.S. relations."	    Zhang said reports that China is strengthening missile deployments on its south east coast are "totally groundless" and that such reports were only an excuse for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. She blamed the arms sales for being a "fundamental cause" of tension across the Taiwan Straits. 	    She said the Chinese government's policy had always been for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan and it would do its utmost to achieve peaceful reunification. 	    "But of course, China, as a sovereign country, pursues a national defence policy, but which is only defensive in nature.  As to the deployment of missiles within its sovereignty and territory, as to whether it will deploy such missiles or how it will deploy them is totally within China's sovereignty, and no other country has the right to interfere." 

Related stock : (NIL)