The comments were made by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, who said his government was “strongly indignant” about the proposed arms sales to Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.
The Obama administration notified the US Congress yesterday of its first proposed arms sales to Taiwan, a potential $6.4 billion package including Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot “Advanced Capability-3” anti-missile missiles, and command-and-control technology.
Beijing quickly responded with a warning that the arms sale could jeopardise important bonds of cooperation with Washington, which has looked to China for support in surmounting the financial crisis, dealing with Iran and North Korea, and seeking international agreement on fighting climate change.
Vice Minister He said the arms sales were “crude interference in China’s domestic affairs and seriously harm China’s national security,” in remarks published on the Foreign Ministry website (www.mfa.gov.cn).
“China expresses its strong indignation.”
He did not spell out how Beijing might retaliate against Washington, but suggested his government’s anger would be felt in a number of areas.
