On Monday, China suggested it might take retaliatory actions following the signing of new legislation by U.S. President Joe Biden. This legislation, aimed at enhancing Taiwan’s defenses and pushing for the Chinese owner of TikTok to divest from the platform, was signed into law on Wednesday. The majority of the funding from this military aid package is allocated to Ukraine to assist in its defense against Russia’s invasion, with additional support going to Israel.
He also signed a separate bill tied to the aid legislation that bans TikTok in the United States if its Chinese owner ByteDance fails to divest the app over the next nine months to a year.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged the United States not to implement the “negative, China-related” parts of the legislation.
“If the United States clings obstinately to its course, China will take resolute and forceful steps to firmly defend its own security and development interests,” Lin said, without elaborating.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly demanded arms sales stop.
Taiwan’s democratically-elected government, which rejects China’s sovereignty claims, has welcomed the new legislation saying it will help maintain security in the region.
With Inputs From Reuters
