China has reacted angrily to the White House's approval of $295 million in arms sales to Taiwan, according to a release Saturday from the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Los Angeles.

Taiwan maintains its own democratic autonomy from China despite Beijing's claims of sovereignty over the island. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are often high, as China has staged military exercises and war games off the island's coast. The 100-mile wide strait separates China and Taiwan.

The Chinese government is protesting the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.”