BEIJING: China said on Friday it will sanction US firms that sell arms to Taiwan, after Washington approved possible sales of $2.2 billion in tanks, missiles and related equipment.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that US arms sales to Taiwan harmed China's sovereignty and national security.

The United States is the main arms supplier to self-ruled Taiwan, which China deems a wayward province. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.