China angered with U.S.-Taiwan travel bill, adding to tensions

A general view of the Taipei skyline shows the Taipei 101 building before Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan March 19, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China expressed anger on Thursday after the U.S. Senate passed a bill promoting closer U.S. ties with Taiwan, but the step drew praise from the self-ruled island which pledged to deepen cooperation.

The move adds to tensions between China and the United States, already at loggerheads over trade, with President Xi Jinping's close economic advisor Liu He in Washington this week to try and avert a trade war.