Außenpolitische Verstimmungen zwischen Washington und Peking, mal wieder: China lashed out yesterday at the Bush administration's policies on Taiwan and Hong Kong, declaring it is "gravely concerned" that the issues will undermine progress on U.S.-China relations. The tough statement, made at a rare news conference called by the Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington, came just days after national security adviser Condoleezza Rice toured the region and met with top Chinese officials. During the trip, Rice rebuffed demands from China that the United States curb arms sales to Taiwan, but the official state media then reported China's concerns in more muted language.