News briefing by Chinese Foreign Ministry

The spokespersonfor the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Shen Guofang, reiterates that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and that the US backing of Taiwan is uncalled for. China views the adoption of the State Department Authorization, Reform, and Foreign Assistance Bill by the US Congress as an intervention to the Chinese sovereignty. The Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan straits are a routine event and will continue as scheduled, despite the entry of US military vessels into the Taiwan Straits. The large procurement of advanced weapons by Taiwan from the US and, some other countries is fuelling tension with China.