China summoned the U.S. ambassador on Saturday warning him about consequences for bilateral relations of planned arms sales to Taiwan.

Washington announced its plan to sell $6.4 billion worth weapons to Taiwan on Friday. The decision is likely to affect relations with China already strained by a dispute over Internet censorship.

The United States is again making the wrong decision despite repeated protests from China, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website.

Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei said in the statement after a meeting with Ambassador Jon Huntsman that the sale could trigger "consequences both sides do not want to see," and demanded the sale be cancelled.

China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory. Beijing has not ruled out use of force against the island, which split from the mainland in 1949 and maintains de facto independence.

Beijing briefly suspended military contacts with Washington in 2008 after the then Bush administration announced plans for arms sales to Taiwan.

The U.S. seeks cooperation with China on a host of issues, including Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

BEIJING, January 30 (RIA Novosti)