U.S. Congress passes pro-Taiwan Bill

WASHINGTON, FEB. 2. The U.S. Congress has given strong bipartisan support to legislation to expand U.S. military relations with Taiwan. The Clinton administration, threatening a veto, said the Bill would ``seriously diminish Taiwan's security'' and could undermine stability in Asia.

The measure was approved 341 to 70 in the Republican- led chamber, with the administration's Democratic allies putting up only token opposition.

The Bill goes next to the Senate, where leaders expressed caution.

The Republican Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Trent Lott, cited long-standing support for the democratic Government of Taiwan. But he cautioned he didn't want to further complicate already tense relations between the mainland and the island. ``We should proceed with due diligence,'' Mr. Lott said.

China regards Taiwan a renegade province. Sponsors portrayed the Bill as a reaction to a recent increase in tensions between China and the island, and the reported buildup of China's missile arsenal along the Taiwan strait.

``If we love freedom, we must protect democratic Taiwan,'' said the House Majority Leader, Mr. Dick Armey. The Bill would end a U.S. prohibition against military exchanges with the Taiwanese military.

China protests

A report from Beijing said China's Foreign Ministry today summoned the U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Joseph Prueher, to protest against the U.S. move, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Yang Jiechi, voiced to Mr. Prueher ``utmost indignation at and firm opposition to'' the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act passed by the House yesterday, the Ministry said.

Mr. Yang blasted the measure as ``a serious encroachment on China's sovereignty (and) a gross interference in China's internal affairs'' and demanded that the Clinton administration kill the legislation immediately, the Ministry's statement said.

- AP, Reuters

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