BEIJING - A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that may once again request to purchase weapons from the United States, calling it "nothing more than pandering to the United States and seeking self-consolation".

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query concerning the DPP's plan to purchase E-2D airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft from the US.

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The DPP authorities are buying weapons with hard-earned money of the Taiwan people, Zhang said, adding that it is an act of complete betrayal detrimental to the interests of the people in Taiwan.

"We firmly oppose any official US interaction and military contact with China's Taiwan region," Zhang said.

He urged the US side to truly abide by the one-China principle and three China-US joint communiqués, honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence", stop arming Taiwan, and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Also on Friday, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized the DPP authorities for distorting the mainland's punitive measures against separatists.

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The DPP authorities deliberately confuse the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots with a very small number of diehard separatists seeking "Taiwan independence", and blur the line between espionage activities and normal people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, said Zhu, in response to a media query about recent statements from the DPP authorities.

Not only do they intend to deceive and intimidate people of Taiwan, but also seek to conceal their intentions of seeking "Taiwan independence" and undermining cross-Strait relations, Zhu said.

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"We firmly support normal and healthy exchanges between the two sides of the Strait and will protect the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots in accordance with the law," she said, calling for a safe and healthy environment that enables people from both sides to communicate and interact with each other.