THE CHINESE government protested today against Washington’s latest announcement of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.”

Outgoing US President Joe Biden authorised on Saturday the provision of up to $571 million (£454m) in US Defence Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan.

Separately, the US Defence Department said on Friday that $295m (£234m) in military sales had been approved.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the US to stop arming Taiwan and cease “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

The $571m (£454m) in military assistance comes on top of President Biden’s authorisation of $567m (£451m) for the same purposes in late September. The military sales include about 300 tactical radio systems and 16 gun mounts.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying on social media that it reaffirmed the US government’s “commitment to our defence.”