China may raise military stakes if US passes Taiwan Policy Act: analysts
- Beijing won’t ignore Washington if it keeps playing the Taiwan card, expert says
- Relations are at ‘crossroads and both sides must show restraint’
The bill has been described as the most comprehensive restructuring of US policy towards the island since the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, which defined the non-diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan.
It proposes allowing Taiwan to have the same treatment as the US’ other major non-Nato allies by allocating US$4.5 billion in security assistance over four years. It also sets up a broad economic sanctions scheme to target Beijing officials and financial institutions in case of “hostilities” towards Taiwan.
US Senator Bob Menendez, co-sponsor of the bill, said the US did not want a war with China but wanted to “lower the existential threats facing Taiwan by raising the cost of taking the island by force”.
The Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that Beijing had lodged “solemn representations” over the proposed legislation.