China firmly opposes any words or deeds that go against the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Sunday.

Kong made the remark while asked to comment on reports that a new draft of the US Republican Party says China is a strategic competitor rather than a partner of the United States, and the United States acknowledges that there is only one China in the world but will help Taiwan to defend itself.

Kong said he had noticed and showed great concern over related reports. He said to properly handle the Taiwan issue is the key to the development of Sino-US constructive and cooperative partnership, and the three Sino-US joint communiques are the political basis of Sino-US ties.

The one-China policy is a consensus reached by both the Republican and Democratic Parties of the United States, and is also the commitment made by all the previous US governments, he said.

Any words or deeds that go against the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques will be firmly opposed by the Chinese side, the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2004)