After President Donald Trump signed into law an act that lays groundwork for possible U.S. navy visits to Taiwan, China got angered, blaming Washington for interfering in its internal affairs. Beijing also said it had lodged a complaint.
Recently, a senior Chinese diplomat threatened China would invade Taiwan if U.S. warships visit the islands which China claims as its own. On Monday, Chinese jets also carried out “island encirclement patrols” around Taiwan.
Trump signed the act into law on Tuesday. The National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year authorizes the possibility of mutual visits by navy vessels between Taiwan and the U.S., Reuters reports.
According to Lu Kang, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the parts of the law that include Taiwan are in violation of the “One China” policy. He added that those sections, even though not binding, they represent an interference in the internal affairs of China, which is against any official exchange, military contact or arms sales between Taiwan and the U.S.
“China is resolutely opposed to this, and we have already lodged stern representations with the U.S. government,” Lu said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan is worried by the ramped up Chinese military presence and keeps a close watch on the Chinese air force drills around the island. But, Taiwan is confident of its defenses.
“Taiwan can ensure there are no concerns at all about national security, and people can rest assured”, Alex Huang, Taiwan presidential spokesman, said.
Yet, he emphasized that the raised military posture did not give a feeling of responsibility and added that the international community did not look favorably upon that.
Relations between Taiwan and China have worsened since Tsai Ing-wen won the presidential election last year. Beijing thinks that she wants to declare the island’s formal independence, while Tsai states that she wants to maintain peace, but will defend the security of her country.
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