BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- At a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, a senior Chinese official Sunday 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," said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

    He hoped the U.S. would keep its promise to safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan strait as well as its relationship with China.

    Negroponte said the United States would firmly adhere to the one-China policy and observe the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

    Negroponte arrived here Saturday, one leg of tours to China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, his first overseas visit since taking up his new position on Feb. 27.

    His China visit comes at a time of controversy about planned U.S. sales of more than 400 missiles worth 421 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan.

    Negroponte also met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Yang Jiechi Saturday, and the latter asked the U.S. side to stop selling weapons to Taiwan.

    The state councilor said China and the United States should implement the agreement reached by the two heads of states, promote strategic trust, deepen cooperation and properly handle disputes and sensitive issues, so that China-U.S. relations can develop in a healthy and stable manner.

    Negroponte said that the U.S.-China relationship would be critically important in the 21st century, as the two countries have a lot of common interests in international affairs.

    He said the United States is keen to develop constructive and cooperative relations with China.

Related:

    Chinese FM meets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State

    BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte here on Sunday morning.

    Negroponte arrived in Beijing on Saturday, a day after China voiced its opposition to the U.S. plan to sell Taiwan more than 400 missiles worth 421 million U.S. dollars.

    China urges U.S. to cancel arms sales plan to Taiwan

    BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China Friday voiced its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the US arms sales plan which it regarded as wanton interference in its internal affairs.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China firmly opposes the US arms sales to this island of China and urged the United States to cancel the sales plan.

    Pentagon plans new arms sale to Taiwan

    WASHINGTON, Mar. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress that it plans a new arms sale to Taiwan which includes over 400 missiles with the total value of 421 million U.S. dollars.

    According to a press release issued by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday, the arms sale package will include 218 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), 235 Maverick missiles, as well as related support, maintenance, training and logistics service.