BBC News
Date: December 17, 2015
China has summoned a senior US envoy in protest after Washington
Image copyright AFP
Image caption A file photo of a Standard surface-to-air missile being launched from a Perry-class frigate of the Taiwan navy during wargames
announced it would sell two warships to Taiwan.
Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang made “solemn representations” with Kaye Lee, the US charge d’affaires, China’s foreign ministry said.
The arms deal, worth $1.83bn (£1.22bn), comes as tensions rise over China’s island-building in the South China Sea.
Taiwan expressed gratitude to Washington for helping with its defence needs.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland, though relations have warmed in recent weeks. Leaders from both countries met last month for the first time since the 1949 civil war.
China maintains a right to use force if Taiwan attempts to gain independence.
‘Strongly oppose’
The Chinese statement said Mr Zheng had told Ms Lee at the Wednesday meeting that Taiwan “is an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that it “strongly opposes the US arms sale”. [FULL STORY]
