US arms deal 'damaging'

Contacts with China's military would likely be the first to suffer if Beijing moves to retaliate over upcoming United States arms sales to Taiwan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu warned the Obama Administration risked damaging ties with China if it proceeds with the arms deal, which is likely to include Black Hawk helicopters and Patriot missiles.

Ma said failure to halt the sales would "impair the larger interests of China-US co-operation".