China to U.S.: Cancel arms deal with Taiwan

China is demanding that the United States cancel a $1.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan announced Thursday. The deal runs counter to Washington’s commitment to a “one-China” policy and severely damages China’s sovereignty and security interests, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang. China considers the self-governing island to be a part of its territory and insists it will eventually be reunified, by force if needed. Kang said Friday the United States should immediately stop the sale to avoid harming relations with Beijing. Taiwan welcomed the sale as a show of U.S. support and said the sale, which includes torpedoes and missiles, would enhance its self-defense capabilities.