BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese military spokesman said relations with the United States are sure to suffer after Washington announced a big arms package for disputed Taiwan, warning high-level contacts could be frozen. China claims Taiwan, divided from the mainland since 1949, as a part of its sovereign territory and says the self-ruled island must accept eventual reunification, by force if necessary. A Pentagon spokesman had said Beijing was curtailing military exchanges after the $6.5 billion Taiwan package, including 30 Apache attack helicopters and 330 Patriot missiles, was announced last week. China confirmed the retaliatory move, keeping up a chorus of official warnings over the deal, which Beijing appears to fear will embolden Taiwan in political negotiations. "For the U.S. side to spurn China's vehement objections and...
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