China urges the US to stop playing the 'Taiwan card'

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Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning called on the US to stop playing the "Taiwan card" in an attempt to contain China, vowing that Beijing will safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity by taking the necessary measures whenever needed.

The FM Spokesperson said, "We strongly urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, earnestly act on the commitment made by the US leadership of not supporting “Taiwan independence”, stop playing the “Taiwan card” and using Taiwan to contain China, and stop advancing the deliberation of the relevant bill."

Mao Ning also called on Washington to stop considering the US draft law on Taiwan, stressing that "China will take all necessary measures in light of the bill’s process and final outcome to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The Spokesperson further noted that "if the bill continues to be deliberated, pushed forward or even become law, it will greatly shake the political foundation of China-US relations and cause extremely serious consequences to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Ning stressed that "there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory," adding that "no country, no force and no individual should ever misestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese Government and people to defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation."

Washington backs bill to treat Taiwan as 'equivalent to foreign govts'

Earlier today, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed forward the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which will provide Taiwan with $4.5 billion in security aid and a $2 billion loan guarantee for the purchase of military equipment. 

The lawmakers passed the bill, which will be brought to the Senate, according to a statement by Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch. 

"We must get ahead of a future crisis and give Xi Jinping reasons to think twice about invading or coercing Taiwan. I hope the full Senate will vote on this legislation soon," the statement said.

The bill will provide Taiwan with aid over four years, in addition to designating the island as a "Major Non-NATO Ally."

In addition, the legislation will also direct the US government to engage with the "democratic government of Taiwan" as a legitimate representative of the population on the island, prohibiting restrictions and limits regarding engagements between US officials and their Taiwanese counterparts. 

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