Taiwan's weapon plan detrimental to peace
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-06-18 16:48

Taiwan's huge weaponry procurement plan does not conform to the fundamental interest of the general public in Taiwan, a Chinese mainland official said in Beijing Friday.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Li Weiyi, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, or the Chinese central government, said Taiwan separatist forces are bending on military confrontation with the mainland, in an attempt to resist reunification through military force and challenge the "one-China" principle, which constitute the fundamental reason for undermining peace and stability in Taiwan Straits area.

In response to a reporter's question on Taiwan authorities' plan to seek a weaponry procurement program totaling more than 600 billion Taiwan dollars (US$18 billion), the spokesman noted that China urges the US administration to honor their commitments affirmed by their leaders repeatedly so as not to affect Sino-US relations and their cooperation in important spheres.

The commitments refer to adherence to "one-China" policy, abidance by three joint communiques signed between China and the United States, opposition to "Taiwan independence" and not conducting official exchanges with Taiwan in any forms and halt arms sales to Taiwan.

Li went on to say that China has been consistent in opposing official exchanges and military cooperation in any forms between the United States and Taiwan.

With regard to media reports that a US military report containing the hint that Taiwan attack Three Gorges Dam on the mainland, Li described it as a madcap war hoot by some forces hostile to the Chinese people, and such suggestion has drawn worldwide media condemnation.