BEIJING: China on Monday said it had lodged an official protest with the United States following the passage of a defense spending bill that could lead to American warships visiting Taiwan. Beijing has long objected to any military assistance from Washington to the self-governed island, which it considers a breakaway province. “China firmly opposes any forms of official exchange and military contact between the US and Taiwan,” foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters at a regular press briefing, adding that Beijing had made “stern representations” to Washington over the bill. The American navy stopped such visits to Taiwan in 1979, when Washington changed diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. But once in office the president unequivocally endorsed the “One China” policy during a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Source: Manila Times July 17, 2017 11:37 UTC