China has strongly criticised what it called the anti-China contents of recent bills passed by the United States Congress.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tang Guoqiang, said congressional approval of continued arms sales to Taiwan, and the island's inclusion in a regional missile defence system, violated the basic norms of international relations.

The spokesman also accused Washington of interfering in China's internal affairs by supporting Tibetan separatists.

Mr Tang urged the US administration to reject the legislation, which has yet to be signed by President Clinton.