Beijing, Dec 25 (IANS) – China has called on the United States to remove negative references targeting China in the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The plea comes after both houses of the U.S. Congress passed the bill, which President Joe Biden subsequently signed into law.
Xu Dong, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), expressed China's “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the act's provisions. According to Xu, the NDAA inflates the “China threat, ” advocates military support for Taiwan, and imposes restrictions on China's scientific, technological, and economic progress.
Key Concerns Raised by China
Military Support for Taiwan: Beijing perceives this as interference in its internal affairs and a threat to sovereignty.
Restrictions on Development: The NDAA purportedly seeks to suppress China's advancements in technology and the economy.
Economic and Cultural Exchanges: China views the act as a hindrance to China-U.S. trade and people-to-people interactions.
China’s Vision for Relations
China maintains that its relations with the United States should adhere to principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. Xu emphasized that both nations can serve as catalysts for each other’s development rather than as obstacles.
Red Lines Identified by Beijing
Xu reaffirmed that issues such as the Taiwan question, democracy, human rights, and China's chosen path for development are non-negotiable. These, he stated, are “red lines” that should not be crossed by the United States.
China’s Appeal
China urged the U.S. to abandon a "Cold War mentality and ideological bias" and to avoid implementing the NDAA’s provisions that target Beijing. Xu warned that failure to do so would compel China to take “resolute measures” to protect its sovereignty and development interests.
Global Implications of Bilateral Relations
The steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations is seen as crucial not only for the two nations but also for global stability and progress. Xu expressed hope that differences and disagreements between the two countries could be managed constructively, avoiding conflict and confrontation.