China has decided to impose countermeasures against 13 U.S. military companies and six senior executives, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

In response to a relevant query, spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing that China urges the United States to stop arming Taiwan, and to refrain from conniving with or supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in their attempt to seek independence through military buildup.

Lin noted that the Taiwan question is at the center of China's core interests. The United States has on several recent occasions announced plans to sell arms to the Taiwan region, which has seriously violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, interfered in China's internal affairs, and undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

Pursuant to its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China has decided to take countermeasures against U.S. military companies and senior executives, Lin said.

He stressed that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The U.S. decision to advance that independence agenda by arming Taiwan will not shake China's firm resolve to oppose "Taiwan independence" and achieve national reunification, and will only push Taiwan toward the danger of military conflict, he said.

China urges the United States to abide earnestly by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, Lin said, adding that the United States should act on its leaders' commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence," and should stop arming Taiwan immediately.