China's defence spending announced to be around $225 billion, still pales in comparison with the United States, which has allotted over $800 billion for its military this year.
Government should implement party's policy for "resolving the Taiwan question" and "take resolute steps to oppose Taiwan independence and promote reunification," Premier Li Keqiang tells delegates at Beijing's enormous Great Hall of the People.
The United States is Taiwan’s main supplier of military equipment, and China has objected to past sales with sanctions and other actions.
China, which considers the island of Taiwan and the strait its sovereign territory, opposes the US military presence in the region.
Chinese defence spokesperson said Beijing “resolutely opposes any official interaction and military collaboration” between the US and Taiwan.
The United States has no formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan but is the island's most important international backer and arms supplier.
Taipei has accused China of disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits saying the Chinese army flew 57 warplanes and four ships between Sunday and Monday.
"The current four-month military service is not enough to meet the fast and ever-changing situation," says President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beijing had earlier expressed dismay over the US decision to include military assistance to Taiwan in its annual defence budget.
"This is a firm response to the escalating collusion and provocations by the US and the Taiwanese authorities," a People's Liberation Army spokesperson said.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2023 authorises President Biden to provide Taiwan with up to $1B per year in defence items from US stockpiles or other services such as military training.
President Biden visits TSMC's Arizona plant as Taiwanese chipmaker says it would more than triple its planned investment there to $40 billion, among the largest foreign investments in American history.
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