The bill provides for restrictions on the transfer of technology to China and Russia.
The US Senate has passed a $ 750 billion defense budget bill that provides for restrictions on China in a variety of areas, from technology transfer to the sale of synthetic opioids, in order to contain the growing influence of China around the world.
The bill was passed by 86 votes to 8.
At the same time, the Senate made an unusual procedural move, appointing a separate vote on Friday on the amendment prohibiting President Donald Trump to strike at Iran without the approval of Congress.
Despite rising tensions with Iran, it is expected that the amendment will not gain the necessary 60 votes in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The bill requires the Ministry of Defense to submit detailed reports to prevent the transfer of important technologies to China or Russia, as well as reports on access to the Arctic. In addition, it is required to conduct more stringent checks of scientists wishing to obtain visas to enter the United States.
The document also includes an amendment that prohibits the transfer of Federal funds to Chinese state-owned companies, such as the world’s largest manufacturer of passenger trains CRRC.
Speaking on Friday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed outrage over the bill, saying that the Chinese government has already expressed its protest to the US on this matter.
“When the bill becomes law, it will harm us-China relations by interfering in cooperation in important areas and negatively affecting it,” he said.
Beijing called on the United States to assess objectively its development and not to allow any “negative” provisions related to China to gain the force of law.
There are still several stages before the document becomes law. The Senate version will need to be aligned with the House of Representatives version, which is expected to be put to a vote next month.
The Senate bill also provides for an amendment to tighten sanctions against North Korea: it is proposed to introduce secondary sanctions against financial institutions that deal with Pyongyang in violation of existing sanctions.
