China protests U.S. defense bill for including Taiwan clause

China has lodged a protest with the United States for signing a defense act that included a call for senior military exchanges between Washington and Taiwan.

"We are resolutely against the Taiwan-related section in the US National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, and have lodged solemn representations with the US," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing on Monday.

According to media reports, part of the USD 618.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act directs the US Department of Defense to conduct a program of senior military exchanges between the US and Taiwan.

Noting that the Taiwan question has a bearing on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hua said that "China will by no means accept" the stipulation of the US defense act, reports the China Daily.

"Although the Taiwan-related content in the US act has no legal binding force, it severely violates the three joint communiques and interferes with China's domestic affairs," she said, adding that China urges the US to end military exchanges with and weapons sales to Taiwan.

Earlier, China also expressed its anger over U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen saying it violates the 'One-China' principle.