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China upset about ‘negative’ Taiwan content in U.S. defense bill

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China reportedly complained Monday about “negative content” in an annual defense bill passed by the House, which included a provision to expand its communication with Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reportedly condemned the move, saying it goes against their “one China” policy, Reuters reported

“China has already lodged stern representations with the United States about this,” Lu said during a daily news briefing, the news wire reported.

Lu also said the U.S. is interfering in their internal affairs, urging no contact between the militaries of the U.S. and Taiwan. 

“We urge the United States to fully recognize the serious harmfulness of the relevant clauses in the act, and should not allow them into law, and not turn back the wheel of history to avoid damaging the broad picture of Sino-U.S. cooperation,” he continued.

The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act Friday, which proposes expanding military training and exercises and “defense cooperation” with Taiwan.

The U.S has no formal ties to the self-ruled island, and its involvement in Taiwan is a touchy subject for the Chinese government, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.

Beijing urged the U.S. to revoke its decision to sell Taiwan $1.42 billion worth of arms.

China claimed the deal contradicted a “consensus” Chinese President Xi Jinping reached with President Trump during their talks in Florida earlier this year.

Beijing distrusts Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who won the elections by a wide margin last year. Tsai is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally has advocated for formal independence for Taiwan.

Tsai, however, has said she wants peaceful relations with China.

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