Q: On 24 April, President Bush said during an interview with the ABC that the US will order whatever it took to help Taiwan defend itself and that it will review Taiwan’s defense needs whenever necessary instead of holding annual arms sale meeting. What is your comment?

A: There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China instead of “protectorate” of any foreign country. This is a fact known to all the international community. The US has made solemn commitments to the Chinese Government and people on the question of Taiwan, that is, to adhere to the one China principle, abide by the three China-US Joint Communiqués and other relevant commitments.

It must be pointed out that the above-mentioned erroneous remarks made by the US side following its recent decision to sell sophisticated weapons to Taiwan in large quantity shows that it has drifted further on the dangerous road. We are deeply concerned. The US side, with its erroneous remarks, has seriously violated the principles of the three communiqués and gone against its commitments.  It is a blunt provocation of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, further gives rise to the “Taiwan’s independence” force and undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan straits.  The Chinese Government and people express their strong indignation and opposition towards it.

The question of Taiwan has always been the most important and sensitive issue at the core of the China-US relations. The Chinese Government and people are resolute in their determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and no one should miscalculate.  Nobody can hinder the process of realization of national unification by the Chinese people. We urge the US side to abide by the one China principle and the three China-US Joint communiqués with concrete action, correct its mistake and stop interfering in the internal affairs of China by using the question of Taiwan.