China serves notice on US Taiwan flirting

A report by the New China News Agency took strong exception to comments by presidential adviser Edwin Meese Ill that the US government stood by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act -- including arms sales to Taiwan. The criticism, the strongest by Peking since Mr. Reagan took office, was a clear warning that Taiwan is the thorniest issue in the mostly amicable Chinese-US relations.

The attack actually went no further than previous statements on the subject. The language was more restrained than during the presidential election, when Mr. Reagan said he intended to establish official relations with Taiwan. The critical report was followed by an account of Secretary of State Alexander Haig's forthcoming visit. Di plomats said the juxtaposition might have been deliberate.