China Condemns U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

China decided to postpone military exchange programs and security talks with the United States over Washington's recent approval of a multibillion-dollar weapons sale to Taiwan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

In addition to delaying exchange programs between the two countries' military forces, Beijing said that it will put off the China-U.S. Vice-ministerial Consultation on Strategic Security, Multilateral Arms Control and Non-proliferation, which had originally been slated to take place in the coming months.

Beyond that, China will also impose sanctions on U.S. firms involved in the sales. The two countries' cooperation on some significant international and regional issues will likewise be affected, the Foreign Ministry said.

On January 29, Washington unveiled a plan to sell a package of arms worth nearly $6.4 billion to Taiwan--including Black Hawk helicopters and Patriot III anti-missile interceptors.

In an urgent meeting the following day, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told John Huntsman, U.S. Ambassador to China, that the arms sales will seriously damage China-U.S. relations and cause havoc on bilateral exchanges in diverse areas. The consequences for the deal, he added, will be ones neither side wishes to see.

"The Chinese side strongly urges the United States to fully recognize the great harm of arms sales to Taiwan," he said, urging an "immediate cancellation" of the decision.

China Pledges Assistance to Afghanistan

China will offer assistance to conflict-ridden Afghanistan in various forms--including funding for development, personnel training and help in establishing joint ventures, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Yang made the pledge on January 28 after attending the London Conference on Afghanistan.

Representatives from more than 60 countries and international organizations took part in the daylong convention, which focused on Afghanistan's security, governance and development as well as regional and international aid to the country.

Strengthening Afghanistan's sovereignty and development capacity is of critical importance in laying the groundwork for a full transition to "governance of Afghanistan by the Afghan people," Yang said.

Yang also called on the international community to make contributions to Afghanistan's domestic reconciliation, security, economic development and social progress.