China slams US defense act's 'full of Cold War mentality'

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China voiced strong opposition to the US' Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 on Tuesday, saying the act was full of Cold War mentality and exaggerated China-US antagonism, according to defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian.

"The act interfered with China’s internal affairs, damaged mutual trust and relations between the two militaries," Wu said.

Washington’s new defense bill has made specific references to Taiwan and requires the US Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Taiwan’s military readiness and to submit his findings in a report to Congress within a year with specific recommendations for boosting cross-Pacific cooperation.

"China has lodged stern representations to the US," the spokesman said, stressing that "We will never let anyone, at any time or in any form split Taiwan off from China."

"We demand that the US abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués to properly handle the Taiwan-related issues," Wu said.

The Pentagon is seen in this aerial photo from the Air Force One in Washington, DC, US, March 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

In a separate statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the act as it included negative China-related content.

The foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang pointed out the Chinese side has repeatedly expressed its position on this issue and has lodged a solemn representation to the US.

China urges the US to abandon the Cold War mentality and its zero-sum beliefs to correctly and objectively view Sino-US relations, Lu added.

He also stressed the US should firmly abide by the one-China principle and the commitments made in the three Sino-US joint communiques.

Lu also told the US not to implement a negative China-related clause so as to avoid damaging Sino-US relations and cooperation in key areas between the two sides.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also slammed the new US defense act, reiterating the Chinese mainland's opposition against any official and military contact between the US and Taiwan.

The Taiwan issue is vital for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang. "We strongly oppose the US arms sale to Taiwan," he stressed.

"We urge the US to refrain from implementing the provisions related to Taiwan in the act and to avoid damage to China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," noted Ma.

Ma also warned the current administration of Taiwan, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), that relying on foreign countries to embolden itself will definitely harm the interests of Taiwan residents.