China warns that US military support for Taiwan is turning the island into a 'powder keg'.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says that arms sales to the island "seriously violate" agreements established with the US.
Sputnik - China said that US military support for Taiwan is turning the island into a "powder keg" and increasing the risk of triggering a regional conflict, urging Washington to cease its arms sales to Taipei and warning of "consequences" for countries that interfere in its internal affairs.
Asked about the Taiwan-US Defense Industry Forum held in Taipei earlier this week, which brought together several US and local arms vendors, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that continued arms sales to the island "seriously violate" previous agreements established with the US.
"Lately, US and Taiwanese authorities have intensified their military collusion. A delegation of 25 arms dealers invaded the island and held a 'defense forum' with Taiwanese authorities," the spokesperson said, adding that the meeting was just "further proof that the US is turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg,' which only means trouble for our compatriots in Taiwan."
At the event, Taiwanese authorities said they would seek help from Washington to develop a new generation of fighter jets, hoping to receive assistance in designing an aircraft from start to finish.
Since last year, Taipei has been complaining about delays in deliveries of American weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers have redirected supplies to Ukraine. This issue has worried some US lawmakers.