Arms sales could spark friction

US arms sales to Taiwan are an "obvious factor" that may cause friction between Washington and Beijing, Chinese analysts said yesterday, responding to Hillary Clinton's hint that the new US administration may continue the sales.

Clinton, President Barack Obama's secretary of state, affirmed on Monday that there will be no change in Washington's policy on arms sales to Taiwan.

"And under the Taiwan Relations Act, there is a clear provision that the United States will provide support for Taiwan's defense. And that is why there have been, over the many years, the sale of defensive materials to Taiwan," Clinton said.