BEIJING -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday said that the People's Liberation Army will crush any attempts at "Taiwan independence" or external interference with greater capacity and more reliable means.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to reports that the United States and Taiwan had recently held a so-called defense industry meeting to discuss joint weapons development and production, as well as US arms sales to the island.

No matter how many weapons the Democratic Progressive Party authorities acquire, the cross-Strait balance of military strength will remain unchanged, and the pursuit of "Taiwan independence" will remain a doomed cause, Zhang said.

He accused Taiwan's DPP authorities of pandering to the United States and selling out Taiwan's interests for the DPP's own gains.

Zhang also urged the United States to fully recognize the high sensitivity and serious consequences of arms sales to Taiwan, and to honor its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence."