The United States should stop using Taiwan to meddle in China’s domestic affairs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020, Reuters reported.
Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the comment at a daily news briefing in Beijing.
The act was included in a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package Trump signed on Sunday.
The US House of Representatives had unanimously passed the Taiwan Assurance Act in May 2019 when it was added to that fiscal year’s spending bill for the Senate to consider.
The act aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and encourages Taiwan to increase its defense spending.
Criticizing the law, China termed the U.S. move an “interference in China’s internal affairs”, Anadolu Agency reported.
“China firmly opposes US’ Taiwan Assurance Act, and the US should stop interfering in China’s internal affairs by using the Taiwan question,” China’s Lijian told a news conference in Beijing, according to daily Global Times.
Since the act passed the House, the Trump administration has approved eight arms sales to Taiwan, which include anti-ship cruise missiles and drones.
The act also includes Washington’s support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN and other organizations, and provides $3 million for activities of US-Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework.
China considers Taiwan – officially known as the Republic of China – a breakaway province, while Taipei insists on its independence since 1949 and has diplomatic relations with 16 countries and regions. With the US expressing open support to Taiwan and selling high-tech weaponry to Taipei, China has increased its military operations in the region.
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