China says US arms sales to Taiwan are turning the island into a ‘powder keg’
Associated PressBEIJING — China’s defense ministry said Thursday that the U.S. should stop interfering in both Taiwan and the South China Sea, saying U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are making the situation more dangerous. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party is “turning Taiwan into a weapons depot and a powder keg,” said Senior Col. Wu Qian, the defense ministry’s top spokesperson. “We request that the U.S. side acts in accordance with its words and takes concrete steps to honor its commitment not to support Taiwan independence, stops arming Taiwan and stops undermining China’s core interest,” Wu said. “The U.S. has meddled in the South China Sea issue for its self-interests and instigated and supported the Philippines to infringe on rights and stir up trouble,” Wu said.