U.S.-Taiwan travel bill angers China
- 6 years ago
China slammed the U.S. Senate Thursday for unanimously passing a bill aimed at promoting closer American ties with Taiwan.
The legislation, passed the day before, calls for officials at all levels to travel to and from the United States and self-governing Taiwan, allowing for closer business and cultural exchanges.
However, China sees Taiwan as its own and ineligible to forge state relations.
The U.S. move would imply that it considers Taiwan to be a sovereign nation, sparking anger from Beijing.
"China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to it....... We urge the U.S. to uphold the One-China policy, stay committed to the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, stop official exchanges and substantial improvement of ties with Taiwan, and properly deal with Taiwan-related issues with prudence so as to avoid disturbance and damage to the China-U.S. relationship."
The bill, which is awaiting President Trump's signature, comes at a time when Washington-Beijing ties are not at their best.
Both sides are already at loggerheads over trade, and the latest move has only added to tensions.
The legislation, passed the day before, calls for officials at all levels to travel to and from the United States and self-governing Taiwan, allowing for closer business and cultural exchanges.
However, China sees Taiwan as its own and ineligible to forge state relations.
The U.S. move would imply that it considers Taiwan to be a sovereign nation, sparking anger from Beijing.
"China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to it....... We urge the U.S. to uphold the One-China policy, stay committed to the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, stop official exchanges and substantial improvement of ties with Taiwan, and properly deal with Taiwan-related issues with prudence so as to avoid disturbance and damage to the China-U.S. relationship."
The bill, which is awaiting President Trump's signature, comes at a time when Washington-Beijing ties are not at their best.
Both sides are already at loggerheads over trade, and the latest move has only added to tensions.