China on Thursday again warned the United States of the severe consequences caused by its arms sales to Taiwan, saying the move will undermine Sino-U.S. cooperation.

"China firmly opposes and is strongly dissatisfied with arms sales to Taiwan by the United States," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in a statement.

Jiang's remarks came amid reports that the U.S. Defense Department had recently awarded Lockheed Martin Corp contract for an unspecified number of advanced Patriot missiles to be sold to Taiwan.

"We have raised solemn representations to the U.S. side," said Jiang.

China maintains Taiwan issues concern its core interests and has urged the United States to cancel planned arms sales so as to avoid undermining China-U.S. cooperation.

"We urge the U.S. to clearly recognize the severe consequences of arms sales to Taiwan, reject the cold war mentality, and adhere to the three Sino-US joint communiques, especially the principles established in the Joint Communique on Aug. 17, 1982," Jiang said.

The "Aug. 17 communique" stated that the U.S. would not seek to carry out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, and intended to gradually reduce arms sales.

"We also persuade the relevant company to stop pushing or participating in arms sales to Taiwan, and don't do anything that harm China's sovereignty and security interest," Jiang said.

She said the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan infringed upon China's security interest as well as peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, and was an interference to China's internal affairs.

"If the United States insists on taking its own way, that will impose negative impact on the long-term and healthy development of China-U.S. relations," said military expert Yang Yi.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2010)