China rejected USS Wasp's request to pay a visit to the port next month in Hong Kong and canceled the visit of the US Navy chief as tensions between the two countries continued to rise.

The tense relations fueled by the worsening trade war were again inflamed this week by a tentative $ 330 million deal with Taiwan announced by the Pentagon. The agreement, which mainly involves spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and other equipment, must be finalized by US companies.

The Wasp is an amphibious assault ship with a crew of about 1000 people. The Pentagon downplayed the Chinese decision in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Chinese government has not approved a request for a US port visit to Hong Kong by the USS Wasp," said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn. "We have a long history of successful port visits to Hong Kong, and we hope this will continue."

Chinese officials did not directly link the Wasp decision to the military market. But their reaction to the Taiwan agreement was firm.

The agreement "has seriously violated the fundamental principles of international law and international relations" and undermines China's sovereignty and security, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement. A point of press. He called Taiwan "an inalienable part of Chinese territory".

More: Amnesty International calls on China to end Muslim "re-education camps"

More: Hong Kong high-speed train to China opens despite controversy

Geng said China wants the United States to support the one-China principle, cancel the arms deal and cut off military communications with Taiwan, to avoid undermining bilateral relations and peace and security. stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The United States has always had close ties with Taiwan, known as the Republic of China, but officially recognizes the People's Republic of China as the only legal government in China. The United States supports China's position that Taiwan is part of China and does not support the island's independence of 25 million people.

But the United States has been a major trading partner of Taiwan and a major military supporter. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the latest military agreement "contributed to US foreign policy and national security" by improving Taiwan's security and defense capabilities. Taiwan continues to be an important force for "political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," said the agency.

Contributor: Associated Press

Read or share this story: https://usat.ly/2N39t68