China slams U.S. approval of $95m arms sale to Taiwan

China has expressed its firm opposition to the U.S. approval of an arms deal with Taiwan worth $95 million and pledged to take firm and forceful measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that the arms sale severely encroaches on China's sovereignty, security and development interests, damages China-US relations and endangers peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

He urged the U.S. to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques and cease arms sales and military interactions with Taiwan.