UPDATE 2-China warns of war in case of move towards Taiwan independence

(Adds comment from Taiwan)
By Michael Martina
BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China's defence ministry warned
on Wednesday that it was ready for war if there was a move
toward Taiwan's independence, accusing the United States of
undermining global stability and denouncing its arms sales to
the self-ruled island.
This month, the Pentagon said the U.S. State Department had
approved sales of weapons requested by Taiwan, including tanks
and Stinger missiles estimated to be worth $2.2 billion.
China responded by saying it would impose sanctions on U.S.
firms involved in any deals. Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a news briefing on a
defence white paper, the first in several years to outline the
military's strategic concerns, that China would make its
greatest effort for peaceful reunification with Taiwan.
"However, we must firmly point out that seeking Taiwan
independence is a dead end," Wu said.
"If there are people who dare to try to split Taiwan from
the country, China's military will be ready to go to war to
firmly safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial
integrity," he said.
The United States is the main arms supplier to Taiwan, which
China deems a wayward province. Beijing has never renounced the
use of force to bring the island under its control.
The United States has no formal ties with democratic Taiwan,
but is bound by law to help provide it with the means to defend
itself.
The Chinese ministry said the United States had "provoked
intensified competition among major countries, significantly
increased its defence expenditure ... and undermined global
strategic stability."
China's defence spending would maintain moderate and steady
growth, but it was relatively low, compared to other major
countries, it added.
"There is still a wide gap between China's defence
expenditure and the requirements for safeguarding national
sovereignty, security, and development interests," it said.
Reports of a secret pact with Cambodia granting China's
armed forces exclusive access to part of the southeast Asian
nation's Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand were not in
accordance with the facts, Wu added.
"China and Cambodia have in the past carried out positive
exchanges and cooperation on military drills, personnel training
and logistics," he said. "This kind of cooperation does not
target any third party."
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said later in a statement
that Beijing's "provocative behaviour ... seriously violated the
peace principle in international laws and relations, challenging
regional safety and order".
"We urge Beijing authorities to renounce irrational,
malicious acts such as the use of force, and to improve
cross-strait relations and handle issues including Hong Kong
rationally, so that it can be a responsible regional member," it
said.