China has lodged serious representations on the United States (US) agreement to sell fighter planes to Taiwan, according to a foreign ministry spokesman.

It has been reported that the United States has agreed to sell 66 F-16 fighter planes to Taiwan.

"The Chinese side has taken note of the report and lodged serious representations to the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday.

"We urge the United States to abide by the three joint communiques between China and the United States, particularly the Aug. 17 Communique," Liu said.

Liu urged the United States not to sell the Taiwan authorities the fighter planes and refrain from causing serious damage to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and to the China-US relations.

Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, is currently on an official visit to the United States.

During Guo's meeting with US President George W. Bush on Thursday, Bush said the US position on the Taiwan issue is very clear and the US government will continue to adhere to the three joint communiques between the United States and China and is opposed to any attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2006)