**China’s foreign minister has spoken out against a planned US arms sale to Taiwan and called for more direct talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.**Yang Jiechi made his remarks during a speech to a major security conference in the German city of Munich.
Mr Yang was responding to the recent approval by the Pentagon of a $6.4bn (£4bn) package of weapons to Taiwan.
He also said Iran had not shut the door on a deal with the UN nuclear watchdog, rejecting calls for new sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute, the Associated Press reports.
However, it was not clear whether Mr Mottaki would attend the entire three-day forum.
Beijing’s warning
Speaking in Munich, Mr Yang said the US arms sale to Taiwan - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was “obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations”.
"Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary.
“I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing,” he added.
Beijing earlier warned of “serious harm” to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved.
Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory.
On Iran, Mr Yang said that the negotiations had reached a crucial stage.
He added that Tehran had not shut the door on an agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran.
“There are chances for us to explore,” Mr Yang said.
“So China’s view is very clear. In order not to complicate the situation, it’s better for us now to concentrate on consultation and dialogue so as to achieve a satisfactory solution.”
Reassurance
The BBC’s Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang’s appearance as a remarkable event.
The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says.
Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times.
He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates.
But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries’ internal affairs.
Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development.