China slams new US arms sales to Taiwan
China on Wednesday slammed new United States weapons sales to Taiwan, saying it has lodged protest with Washington.
Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said in a statement: 'China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, and has lodged stern representations with the United States.'
Beijing's sharp reaction came after the US State Department approved two separate potential sales of arms and logistics support for around 440 million dollar to the island nation previous week.
'The United States ignores China's core concerns, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and deliberately escalates tensions across the Taiwan Strait,' said Tan.
The weapons sales are 'tantamount to accelerating the transformation' of Taiwan, which China considers its breakaway province, 'into a powder keg and pushing the Taiwanese people into the abyss of disaster,' Tan added.
Taiwan has insisted on its independence since 1949.
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