WASHINGTON – China has canceled some military contacts with the Pentagon as a result of America's recent announcement of a planned arms sale to Taiwan, a Pentagon official said Monday.
Beijing has notified the U.S. that it will not go forward with some senior level visits and some other cooperative military-to-military plans, said Marine Maj. Stewart Upton, a Defense Department spokesman, told The Associated Press.
"In response to Friday's announcement of Taiwan arms sales, the People's Republic of China canceled or postponed several upcoming military-to-military exchanges," he said.
Beijing is angry over the U.S. decision to sell Taiwan a huge package of military items including guided missiles and attack helicopters.
Upton said this does not represent a change in U.S. policy and that "China's continued politicization of our military relationship results in missed opportunities."
A call seeking comment from the Chinese Embassy in Washington was not immediately returned.
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