BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday urged the United States to observe the three joint communiques between the two countries, especially the "August 17 communique".

    Having reiterated its stance on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, China has been closely watching the U.S. move, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at a press conference.

    He made the remarks when commenting on the recent U.S. decision to freeze arms sales to Taiwan.

    Liu urged the U.S. to honor its commitment in the three Sino-U.S. communiques, and the "August 17 communique" in particular.

    The "August 17 communique", signed in 1982, 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 the arms sales.