(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-27 22:50

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Tuesday China would never trade its sovereignty or principle when asked whether China would support sanctions on Iran if the United States stops selling weapons to Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said here on Tuesday that China would never trade its sovereignty or principle when asked whether China would support sanctions on Iran if the United States stops selling weapons to Taiwan.  [Xinhua]

Qin made the remarks at a regular press conference. He said it is improper to connect China's stance on the Iranian nuclear issue with its opposition to weapons sales by the US government to Taiwan.

China firmly opposes the US selling of advanced weapons to Taiwan, and hopes the international community make more efforts in peacefully solving the Iranian nuclear standoff through talks,

The Taiwan issue relates to China's sovereignty, territory integrity and reunification, and involves the Chinese people's feeling and China's core interests, he said, adding China has "very firm and clear" stance on the issue.

The stance is that "China firmly opposes arms sales by the US government to Taiwan," the spokesman said. “On the Taiwan issue, China would never trade its sovereignty and principles for others at any time," he added.

Qin said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday, and the two sides exchanged views on bilateral ties, the Taiwan issue, the Iranian nuclear issue and other topics of common concern.

During the meeting, Yang reiterated China's stance on the Iranian nuclear issue, which is to hope for the earlier restart of talks on the issue and the world community's continuous efforts in solving the issue peacefully through negotiations, the spokesman said.

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China would go on to play a constructive role in appropriately solving the Iranian nuclear issue, Qin added.

Yang stressed it is in the common interests of both China and the United States to oppose and prevent Taiwan's proposed referendum on UN membership and maintain peace and stability across the Straits, Qin said.

Yang also urged the US government to take practical steps to fulfill its commitments in the three Joint Communiques, keep its solemn promise to China on the Taiwan issue, and stop selling advanced weapons to Taiwan, Qin said.

The minister also urged the United States not to send misleading signals to the Taiwan authorities headed by Chen Shuibian, and to safeguard peace and stability across the Straits and the overall relationship between the two countries, he added.

When asked about China's comment on Iran's ballistic missile launching, the spokesman said China hopes for peace, safety and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and wishes all sides concerned would make joint efforts in the process.