国内英语新闻:China reaffirms opposition to U.S. arms sale to Taiwan

BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday reaffirmed its opposition of an arms sale by the United States to Taiwan after reports said the State Department had authorized the sale of two U.S. Navy frigates for 190 million U.S. dollars.

According to the report by Reuters, the sale has been submitted for congressional approval.

China had lodged representations to the U.S. State Department and urged the U.S. side to clarify, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a daily press briefing.

Hong added that the State Department said there was no plan recently for an arms sale nor did it issue any relevant statement.

"I want to stress that China has always been against the arms sale to Taiwan. The stance is consistent, firm and clear," Hong noted.

According to the Joint Communique signed by the two countries in August 17, 1982, the United States will gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan.