China calls Taiwan a ‘red line’, criticises new US military aid to island

Illustration shows Chinese and Taiwanese flags

BEIJING (Reuters) – China criticised new U.S. military aid to Taiwan on Sunday, saying the $571 million package seriously violates the “one China principle” and provisions of joint communiques between China and the U.S.

China will take “all necessary measures” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, calling Taiwan “a red line that must not be crossed” in China-U.S. relations, according to a statement released by the ministry.

Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan its own territory, a claim the government in Taipei rejects.

(Reporting by Liam Mo and Brenda Goh; Editing by William Mallard)