On Saturday, Russia reaffirmed its opposition to the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week, which regulates closer military contacts between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Moscow opposes the bill designed to strengthen Taiwan's security by military means, which has been approved by the House despite objections from its administration as well as protests and warnings from China, said the Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The adoption of this legislative act, which is being submitted to the Senate for consideration, "will hardly contribute to better relations between the two sides of the Taiwan straits and to the overall situation in the Asian and Pacific region," says the statement.

It stresses that "Russia, as known, recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of that country, including Taiwan province."

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the so-called Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, which the Clinton administration had said it may veto because it undermines the stability in Asia.

The measure, which will hurt the U.S.-China relations and was strongly condemned by the Chinese government, was approved 341 to 70 in the Republican-led House of Representatives.

The legislation would require the U.S. defense secretary to establish direct communication with military forces in Taiwan, increase training operations, allow more Taiwanese military officers to attend U.S. military academies and require annual Pentagon reports on threats to Taiwan's security. (Xinhua)