China urges US not to implement China provisions in defense bill

China urged the U.S. on Friday to not implement "negative, China-related provisions" laid out in a U.S. defence bill, saying it is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed" and has lodged repeated representations with Washington.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act the U.S. Senate passed on Wednesday "exaggerates the China threat... and hurts China's sovereignty, security and developmental interests," said Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, during a regular press briefing.

The U.S. should view its relations with China objectively, Guo said, adding that China will take resolute measures to defend itself.

-Beijing Newsroom/Reuters