China says it will sanction U.S. firms that sell arms to Taiwan

China said on Friday it will sanction U.S. firms that sell arms to Taiwan, after Washington approved possible sales of $2.2 billion in tanks, missiles and related equipment. The foreign ministry said in a statement that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan harmed China's sovereignty and national security.

The United States is the main arms supplier to self-ruled Taiwan, which China deems a wayward province. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

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