China Says U.S. Defense Bill Risks ‘Serious Damage’ to Ties
- Congress set to pass law seeking closer relations with Taiwan
- Dispute could raise tensions already running high over trade
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China hit out at a looming U.S defense spending bill that includes a plan to forge closer ties with Taiwan, saying the legislation would damage U.S.-China relations and undermine cross-strait ties.
The U.S. Congress is preparing to pass the sweeping 2019 defense authorization bill, which includes provisions aimed at curtailing China’s influence in Asia, reflecting a growing consensus in Washington to push back against the increasingly assertive nation. Specifically, it calls for the Pentagon to adopt a more proactive role in assessing and strengthening Taiwan’s ability to resist an invasion from China, which sees the democratically run island as a province.