China Reiterates Call For U.S. To Stop Arms Sale To Taiwan

Beijing, China (AHN) - China's Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission General Guo Boxiong used the visit of U.S. Navy Admiral Timothy Keating to Beijing to reiterate a call made on March for the U.S. to stop selling arms to Taiwan. He asked Washington not only to halt arm sales to Taipei, but also for the U.S. to cut ties with Taiwan.

Boxiong maintained Taiwan is a part of China. By selling armaments to Taiwan, the U.S. is sending the wrong signal, he said.

Keating confirmed the U.S.' one-China policy. He said the Pacific Command is concerned over the situation in the area and will weigh all factors that may disrupt stability across the Straits.

Keating arrived on Sunday for his second China visit since he assumed command on March. Aside from Boxiong, he also had meetings with General Chen Bingde, head of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Yang told the American naval official, "The Chinese side appreciates the U.S. administration's adherence to the one-China policy and its opposition to the Taiwan authorities' attempt to hold a referendum on UN membership.

On March the U.S. Defense Department told Congress it was planning to sell $421 million worth of missiles to Taiwan. Specifically it involved 218 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles and 235 Maverick missiles.