(MENAFN- The Peninsula) China yesterday said it had lodged a formal complaint with the United States over its approval of frigate sales to Taiwan and called for an end to arms sales to the island Beijing claims as a renegade territory.
The US Congress passed a bill authorising President Barack Obama to transfer up to four Perry-class guided missile frigates to Taipei.
China's Central News Agency reported from Washington that Obama signed the legislation on Thursday.
Washington, which recognises Beijing as the sole government of China, is also legally obliged to provide defensive arms to Taiwan, which has its own government and which Beijing views as a rouge province to be retaken by force if necessary.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang slammed the deal yesterday, saying that "China is strongly dissatisfied" with the bill.
"We are firmly opposed to arms sales to Taiwan by the US," he added, reiterating Beijing's longstanding position.
"We have launched solemn representations with the US side," he said, using formal language for a diplomatic protest, adding that Taiwan "remains the most sensitive issue in China-US relations".
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