China, Weapons | featured news

U.S. sales of warplanes, anti-missile systems and other costly weapons to China's and North Korea's neighbors appear set for significant growth amid regional security jitters.

Chinese arms firms offered to sell weapons worth about $200 million to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's beleaguered forces in July, two newspapers reported, compounding pressure on Beijing's brittle ties with the rebels who have ousted him.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he asked President Hu Jintao why the test was conducted during his visit.

China said Saturday it had suspended military exchanges with the United States over Washington's $6.4-billion arms deal with Taiwan, the territory that Beijing claims as its own.

The move is sure to enrage China and could possibly complicate the Obama administration’s push to get Beijing’s cooperation on Iran.