国内英语新闻:China urges U.S. to stop arms sales to Taiwan, sever military ties

BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday urged the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan and sever its military ties with the island.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to recent media reports about the U.S. plan to sell weapons including tanks worth 2 billion U.S. dollars to Taiwan.

"We are seriously concerned with the relevant moves of the U.S. side," Geng said at a press briefing, adding that China's stance in firmly opposing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan is "consistent and clear."

China urges the United States to be fully aware of the high sensitivity and serious harmfulness of the arms sales issue, adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between the two countries, Geng said.

"We urge the U.S. side to stop arms sales to Taiwan and sever their military ties, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, to avoid serious damage to China-U.S. relations as well as to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," said Geng.