Says $858b military spending measure contains provisions that \u2018cause serious damage to peace in Taiwan Strait\u2019
\n SHANGHAI\/TAIPEI
\nChina expressed anger on Saturday at a new US defence authorisation law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan, while Taipei cheered it for helping boost the island\u2019s security.
\nChina, which considers democratically governed Taiwan its own territory, expressed \u201cstrong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition\u201d regarding the US National Defence Authorisation Act, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
\nIt said the $858 billion military spending measure, which authorises up to $10 billion in security assistance and fast-tracked weapons procurement for Taiwan, contained provisions that \u201ccause serious damage to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait\u201d.
\nChina has never renounced using force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan strongly disputes China\u2019s sovereignty claims, saying only the island\u2019s 23 million people can decide their future.
\nTaiwan\u2019s Defence Ministry expressed its thanks for the US legislation, saying it showed the importance Washington attached to Taiwan-US ties and strengthening the island\u2019s security.
\nTaipei will discuss the details of the act with Washington and \u201cgradually push forward the budget formulation and actual disbursement of the various Taiwan-friendly provisions\u201d, the ministry said, without elaborating.
\nThe United States is Taiwan\u2019s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. US arms sales to Taiwan are a constant irritant in Beijing\u2019s relations with Washington.
\nTaiwan\u2019s military is dwarfed by that of its huge neighbour China. Its air force in particular has come under strain from having to scramble repeatedly to see off Chinese incursions near the island over the past three years or so.
\nThe defence law contained an amendment restricting US government purchases of products using computer chips made by a group of Chinese companies.
\n\u201cThe case ignores the facts to exaggerate a \u2018China threat\u2019, wantonly interferes in China\u2019s internal affairs and attacks and smears the Chinese Communist Party, which are serious political provocations to China,\u201d China\u2019s foreign ministry said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Says $858b military spending measure contains provisions that \u2018cause serious damage to peace in Taiwan Strait\u2019 SHANGHAI\/TAIPEI China expressed anger on Saturday at a new US defence authorisation law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan, while Taipei cheered it for helping boost the island\u2019s security. China, which considers democratically governed Taiwan its own territory, expressed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":303341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-303299","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n