US arm sales to Taiwan violate "One China Principle," China says

Illustration shows Chinese and Taiwanese flags

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have seriously violated China's "One China Principle" and provisions of joint communiques between China and the U.S., Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's defence ministry said on Friday.

China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side over the matter, Zhang said.

China on Wednesday announced steps against nine U.S. military-linked firms over U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan.

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)