Beijing: A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Sunday denounced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and strongly condemned its attempts to militarize the region. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, expressed these remarks following the U.S. announcement approving $385 million in arms sales to Taiwan.According to Namibia Press Agency, Chen criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, arguing that paying "protection fees" would not bring security to Taiwan, but rather lead to self-destruction. He urged Taiwan to cease soliciting U.S. support for "Taiwan independence," emphasizing that such efforts are destined to fail.Chen further stated that the U.S. move contradicts its leaders' commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence" and seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique of 1982. The spokesperson urged the United States to immediately halt arming Taiwan, warning that China shou ld not be underestimated in its determination to take strong and resolute countermeasures to firmly uphold its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.