China warns US against sale of F-16 fighters to Taiwan

BEIJING: Amid reports that the US has agreed to sell 66 F-16s to Taiwan, China has warned Washington not to cause serious damage to peace in the Taiwan Straits as well as to bilateral ties by providing the fighter jets to Taipei.

"The Chinese side has taken note of the report and lodged serious representations to the United States," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

"We urge the United States to abide by the three joint communiques between China and the United States, particularly the August 17 Communique," Liu said.

Liu urged the US not to sell the Taiwan the fighter planes and refrain from causing serious damage to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and to the China-US ties.

Despite switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the United States remains Taiwan's biggest arms supplier and main supporter.

The report of the sale of F-16s to Taiwan appeared during the high-profile visit of the Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, General Guo Boxiong to the US.