The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it has decided to partially halt the exchange programs between the militaries of the two countries, as well as the vice-ministerial consultation on strategic security, arms control and anti-proliferation. It stated that the reason for this is because Washington's move is gravely against the three joint communiques signed between the two sides. It constitutes crude interference in China's internal affairs, and harms China's national security and peaceful reunification efforts. Public opinions fear the US deal may harm the relationship between the two countries. (Source: CCTV.com, Feb 1, 2010).