Row over missile sales to Taiwan tamed

China, US do not want deal to harm bilateral relations: Experts

China and the United States are poised to downplay the recent row over a US decision to sell arms to Taiwan last week, as the two countries are unlikely to damage their economic relations or harm their cooperation in global affairs, analysts said.

China on Monday conducted a missile interception test, which was seen as a signal against the arms sale. However, the Foreign Ministry yesterday insisted the test was "defensive in nature and was not targeted at any country or region".