China asks US not to send wrong signals

[helderheid]

China asks US not to send wrong signals

Beijing, March 4 (PTI): Agitated over the US decision to sell sophisticated arms to Taiwan, China today asked Washington not to send "wrong" signals that will encourage pro-independence forces in Taipei.

The strong message was conveyed by a host of Chinese officials, including State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, who met with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. Tang urged the United States not to send wrong signals to Taiwan separatists.

"The activities of Taiwan separatists pose a major threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan strait," he said. He hoped the US would keep its promise to safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan strait as well as its relationship with China.

China views Taiwan, a self-ruled island, as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force.

Negroponte's China visit comes at a time of controversy about planned US sales of more than 400 missiles worth 421 million US dollars to Taiwan.

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