China Condemns US Defense Bill, Vows to Protect Interests

China Condemns US Defense Bill, Vows to Protect Interests

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the recently passed US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, citing its negative China-related provisions. The ministry vowed to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed China's strong opposition and disapproval of the act during a daily news conference. She urged the US not to implement the negative provisions, emphasizing that Washington's actions undermine China's interests and disrupt efforts to stabilize bilateral relations.

Mao criticized the US for hyping up the "China threat" narrative, supporting Taiwan militarily, and abusing state power to suppress Chinese technological and economic development. She also condemned the US for limiting bilateral trade, economic, and people-to-people exchanges.

The spokeswoman urged the US to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and to view China's development and China-US relations objectively and rationally. She called on the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop arming Taiwan, and cease politicizing and weaponizing scientific and economic issues. Additionally, she urged the US to stop finding excuses for increasing military expenditure and maintaining military hegemony.

This year's NDAA authorized a record $895 billion in annual US military spending, including provisions for purchasing military equipment and boosting competitiveness with rivals like China and Russia. US Senator Bernie Sanders, who voted against the bill, argued that such spending is unnecessary while many Americans face homelessness, hunger, and difficulty affording basic necessities.