The Chinese government has expressed strong opposition against a plan by Washington for high-level military cooperation with Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying says China has already lodged stern representations over parts of a new military funding law referring to Taiwan.

The US's National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2017 includes for the first time a section on senior military exchanges with Taiwan. It says it is "the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should conduct" such a program. If implemented, the program shall take place both in Taiwan and the US.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, although the Taiwan content is not legally binding, it interferes with China's internal affairs. It also infringes on China's sovereignty. She says this is completely unacceptable. China is also urging Washington to stop military communication and arms sales to Taiwan.