China opposes US defense bill including Taiwan

The missile destroyer Haikou (R), missile frigate Yueyang and supply ship Qiandaohu (C) are seen during the supply at sea in Pacific Ocean, during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises, on June 13, 2014. After 6 days' sail, the Chinese fleet participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises joined naval forces from Singapore and the United States in waters off Guam. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - China on Thursday expressed strong opposition to the annual defense policy bill passed by the US Senate, which contains a section inviting Taiwan to join military drills.

"We are firmly opposed to any country's military contact with Taiwan. Our position is consistent and clear," said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun at a monthly briefing.

The US Senate passed an annual defense policy bill last Thursday that authorizes some 600 billion US dollars in defense spending for the 2016 fiscal year, and initiates measures that could help cut costs, according to reports.

"We urge the US side to abide by the three China-US joint communiques, properly settle the Taiwan issue, and maintain the healthy growth of military ties and overall relations between both countries," Yang said.