China cancels military contacts with US in protest

By PAULINE JELINEK and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - China has abruptly canceled a series of military and diplomatic contacts with the United States to protest a planned $6.5 billion package of U.S. arms sale to has notified the U.S. that it will not go forward with several senior level visits and other cooperative military-to-military plans, said Marine Maj. Stewart Upton, a Defense Department spokesman. "In response to Friday's announcement of Taiwan arms sales, the People's Republic of China canceled or postponed several upcoming military-to-military exchanges," Upton said, lamenting that "China's continued politicization of our military relationship results in missed opportunities." The Chinese action will not affect the country's participation with the United States in six-nation talks aimed at... [read full story]