China warns Trump against approving US-Taiwan travel bill

China warns Trump against approving US-Taiwan travel bill

Lu Kang, a spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry. (File Photo: IANS)

U.S. President Donald Trump. (File Photo: IANS/Xinhua)

Beijing, March 16 (IANS) The Chinese government on Friday warned that the US-Taiwan travel bill, which would allow US officials to travel to Taiwan for diplomatic missions, would severely damage ties between Washington and Beijing.

The warning coincided with the deadline for US President Donald Trump to sign the bill into law or reject the legislation, Efe news agency reported.

"The so-called bill you mention, though not legally binding, severely violates the 'one China principle' as well as joint US-China communiques, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press conference.

Lu said that Beijing had sent formal protests to Washington asking them to avoid formal contacts with Taiwan in order not to adversely affect relations and cooperation between the US and China.

The US-Taiwan travel bill, which would facilitate travel between senior officials from both countries, was approved by the US Senate and the House of Representatives on March 1 and has been sent to the President for his approval.

If Trump does not act, the bill would automatically become law on Saturday.

Taiwan separated from mainland China in 1949 and relations between the two nations have been dominated by sovereignty disputes and tension ever since.

--IANS

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