China has blasted an annual U.S. defense spending bill for hyping up the “China threat” while Taiwan welcomed the legislation, saying it shows U.S. support for the self-governing island that China says must come under its rule.
FILE - In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, fighter jets of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conduct a joint combat training exercises around the Taiwan Island on Aug. 7, 2022. China blasted an annual U.S. defense spending bill for hyping up the China threat" while Taiwan welcomed the legislation, saying it demonstrated U.S. support for the self-governing island that China says must come under its rule.
President Joe Biden signed the $858 billion defense bill into law in Washington on Friday. It includes about $45 billion more than Biden had requested as lawmakers look to offset inflation and boost the nation’s military competitiveness with China and Russia.In the Indo-Pacific region, the legislation authorizes increased security cooperation with Taiwan and requires expanded cooperation with India on emerging defense technologies, readiness and logistics.
A Taiwan Foreign Ministry statement thanked the U.S. Congress “for showing the great importance it attaches to Taiwan-U.S. relations and strengthening Taiwan’s security.” China objects to U.S. support for Taiwan, an island of 23 million people off its east coast. The two split during the civil war that brought the communists to power in China in 1949.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said the U.S. defense bill “severely affects peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taiwan, Trying to Fend Off China, to Get Loans, Not Grants, to Buy U.S. WeaponsGrants for weapons transfers to Taiwan were left out of the massive spending bill that Congress raced to finish, setting back efforts by some lawmakers to bolster a front-line U.S. partner against China
Read more »
China angered, Taiwan cheered by new U.S. defence actChina expressed anger on Saturday at a new U.S. defence authorisation law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan, while Taipei cheered it for helping boost the island's security.
Read more »
Taiwan scrambles jets as China flies dozens of aircraft into air defense zoneChina deployed 39 military aircraft to Taiwan's air defense zone on Thursday, leading the self-governed island to scramble fighter jets in response.
Read more »
Hospital warns of ‘tragic battle’ as Covid spreads in ChinaA Shanghai hospital has told its staff to prepare for a “tragic battle” with Covid-19 as it expects half of the city’s 25 million people will get infected by the end of next week.
Read more »
Huge San Jose data center for China-based firm is jolted by lawsuitsSeveral subcontractors have filed lawsuits to recoup millions of dollars from a China-based telecommunications titan, claiming the firm failed to pay for their construction work on a vast San Jose …
Read more »