BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China is firmly opposed to arms sales to Taiwan by the United States and any other country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said here on Thursday.

According to media reports, the Taiwan authorities said Thursday that the U.S. government suspended its sales of F-16 jet fighters to Taiwan because of pressure from the Chinese side.

In reply to a question on those reports, Ma said the stance of the Chinese government on arms sales to Taiwan is clear and consistent, and remains unchanged. China is firmly opposed to arms sales to Taiwan by the United States and any other country

The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remains one of the major obstacles to maintaining the healthy growth of the military-to-military relationship between China and the United States, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou said Tuesday during his visit to the United States.