Beijing denounces U.S. defense bill as 'playing with fire' over Taiwan

China's top legislature lashed out at the recently passed U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, accusing it of "manipulating" the Taiwan question and stoking tensions through "reckless actions."

The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden on Friday, drew strong condemnation from National People's Congress Foreign Affairs Committee spokesman Xu Dong for its provisions on Taiwan and other broader China policy.

Xu's statement condemned the NDAA as a "serious violation" of agreements between Chinese and U.S. presidents, particularly the recent meeting in San Francisco. He slammed the act as blatant interference in China's internal affairs and a severe threat to its sovereignty and security.

"The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests," Xu emphasized, noting it serves as a critical "red line" in Sino-U.S. relations. He warned against "playing with fire" by using Taiwan to "contain China," asserting that such attempts will ultimately fail.

Beyond Taiwan, Xu also criticized the NDAA's call for "decoupling" and the politicization of economic, technological, and cultural ties. He condemned these measures as deliberate attempts to disrupt natural cooperation between China and the U.S., ultimately harming both nations.

Xu reiterated China's commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, urging the U.S. to avoid implementing the act's "negative provisions regarding China." He called for caution and responsible action on sensitive issues concerning China's sovereignty and core interests.