CHINA accused the United States of turning Taiwan into an “ammunition depot” after the White House announced a $345 million (£268.6m) military aid package for the breakaway province.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office issued a statement late on Saturday opposing the military aid to Taiwan.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, said: “No matter how much of the ordinary people’s taxpayer money the Taiwanese separatist forces spend, no matter how many US weapons, it will not shake our resolve to solve the Taiwan problem or shake our firm will to realise the reunification of our motherland.

“Their actions are turning Taiwan into a powder keg and ammunition depot, aggravating the threat of war in the Taiwan strait,” the statement said.

Taiwan’s ruling administration, led by the Democratic Progressive Party, has stepped up its weapons purchases from the US.

Unlike previous military purchases, the latest batch of aid is part of a presidential decree approved by the US Congress last year to draw weapons from current US military stockpiles. 

While Taiwan has purchased $19 billion (£14.8bn) worth of weaponry, much of it has yet to be delivered. 

Washington will send air defence systems, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles.