Beijing protests proposed naval visits

China has protested to the United States over an annual US defense policy bill that includes clauses requiring reports on the possibility of naval ships from the US and Taiwan docking at each other’s ports, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

“Related clauses seriously go against the one-China policy and the principles of the three joint communiques between China and the US, and interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily news conference in Beijing.

“China has lodged serious representations to the US,” he said.

Lu said China resolutely opposes any form of official exchanges and military links between the US and Taiwan, urging the US to fully recognize the serious harmfulness of the amendments.

“We ask the US not to pass and legislate the bill that includes such clauses, to not turn back the wheel of history, in order to avoid damaging China-US cooperation,” he added.

The US House of Representatives passed on Friday the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.

One amendment requires the US secretary of defense to report to congressional committees no later than Sept 1, 2018, on “the feasibility and advisability” of US Navy ships making ports of call in Taiwan and ships from Taiwan making ports of call in Hawaii, Guam or other locations, according to media reports.

A final version of the legislation will be drafted at an undisclosed time and would take effect only after being approved by the Senate and signed by US President Donald Trump.