Washington, Feb 11 : The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would push to exclude China from major international financial institutions if Beijing poses an immediate threat to Taiwan.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Frank D. Lucas of Oklahoma, is known as the PROTECT Taiwan Act. It would make it US policy to seek the removal of Chinese representatives from key multilateral bodies if the president notifies Congress that China poses an immediate threat to Taiwanâ??s security.

Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the president must inform Congress if such a threat arises. If that notification is made, the bill calls for excluding China from organizations such as the Group of 20 major economies, the Financial Stability Board and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

â??The United Statesâ?? response to an invasion of Taiwan should be robust and include numerous sanctions and economic penalties. Exclusion from international bodies must be part of that response,â?? Lucas said on the House floor.

He added that if China â??seeks to disrupt the global order,â?? it â??cannot continue to be party to international organizations that seek to preserve that order.â??

Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, also backed the measure.

â??The Protect Taiwan Act ensures that there will be significant financial and diplomatic consequences were China to invade Taiwan. Full stop,â?? Hill said. â??The US must send a clear message that Chinaâ??s aggression toward Taiwan will not and is not tolerated.â??

The bill previously passed unanimously out of the House Financial Services Committee. It is co-sponsored by Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.

Supporters pointed to Taiwanâ??s central role in the global semiconductor industry. About 90 per cent of the worldâ??s most advanced semiconductor chips are produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a key supplier for technology and defense companies worldwide. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-governing island under its control. The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is its main security partner under the Taiwan Relations Act.

/IANS