1st LD-Writethru: China urges U.S. to approach Taiwan question with utmost prudence

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese government spokesperson on Saturday urged the United States to approach the Taiwan question with utmost prudence.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a query concerning the recently announced 330-million-U.S.-dollar U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

"We firmly oppose U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear," Chen said, adding that such a move seriously undermined China's sovereignty and security interests, and sent a seriously wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

He urged the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques -- especially the August 17 Communique -- stop indulging and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and approach the Taiwan question with the utmost prudence.

Noting that "Taiwan independence" is utterly incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait, Chen issued a stern warning to the Lai Ching-te authorities that seeking independence through external forces or military means is a dead end.

"We will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard our national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity," he said. Enditem