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China on Friday urged the US to halt arms supplies to Taipei and stop escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The demand from Beijing comes amid unconfirmed reports that the US “plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taiwan island to a level exceeding the approximately $18.3 billion sold” during President Donald Trump’s first term, Chinese daily Global Times reported.

“Taiwan question lies at the heart of China’s core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

The former Joe Biden administration reportedly sold arms worth around $8.4 billion to Taiwan, which is claimed by China as its "breakaway province." Taipei, however, insists on its independence since 1949.

“China firmly opposes US arms sales to the Taiwan region,” Lin said, urging the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques -- particularly the Aug. 17 communique.

Lin said China’s “resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast.”

- ‘Golden Dome missile defense system to open Pandora's box’

A day earlier, China's Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang condemned the US for “continuously expanding” its military build-up and “provoking” an arms race in outer space.

“The US presses ahead with the Golden Dome system and deploys space-based weapons, continuously expands its military build-up, and stokes an arms race in outer space,” said Zhang.

He warned that the US actions “will once again open the Pandora's box,” according to a transcript of his ministry's news conference held on Thursday in Beijing.

"Such acts violate relevant principles of the Outer Space Treaty, heighten the risk of turning the space into a war zone and triggering a space arms race, and shake the international security and arms control regime,” Zhang added.