China Saturday "strongly" urged the United States to respect its core interests and grave concerns, and immediately stop arms sales to Taiwan to avoid harms to the Sino-U.S. cooperation.

The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan undermined China's national security as well as the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told Xinhua in an exclusive interview, once again voicing China's "resolute opposition" to the sales.

This was the sixth official announcement made by China over the issue in a week, as spokespersons with the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry had repeatedly denounced the U.S. move.

He said that in response to the U.S. government's recent approval of Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin Corp. to sell weapons to Taiwan, the Chinese side had made solemn representations with the U.S. side.

The two U.S. Companies' sales plan was part of the arms sales package announced in October 2008 under the Bush Administration, which included weapons and equipments such as Patriot III anti-missile system.

The sales of weapons to Taiwan seriously violated the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, in particular the principles enshrined in the August 17 Communique, said He, adding China's stance on this issue was always "consistent, clear and unswerving."

He said the Taiwan issue was "the most important and sensitive issue at the core of Sino-U.S. relations."

Noting the Sino-U.S. relations had maintained a steady momentum of development since U.S. President Barack Obama took office, He said this progress was hard-earned and should be valued by both countries.

China hoped the United States would work with China to earnestly implement the important consensus on developing bilateral relations reached by leaders of the two countries, strictly abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and principles of the joint statement issued last November, enhance bilateral dialogue, coordination and cooperation in various spheres, so as to push forward the sound and steady development of bilateral ties, said He.