Technics 1210
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Yes, but why is what I am asking. Please do not say Liberalism and Democracy.
-
Contact the PP Team
The US-China standoff after Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan
- Thread starter daytrader
- Start date
Yes, but why is what I am asking. Please do not say Liberalism and Democracy.
KingKhanWC
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Why are the US Tawians long last father?
Your assertion the One China Policy which US has agreed to has ended(due to Hong Kong) is simply not true. Where do you get your information from, Wetherspoons?
Where have I said it ended? I said china hasn't stuck to its legal contract with Hong Kong, so why should Taiwan and the US believe what China promises?
KingKhanWC
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You asserted this nonsense. Now you have been educated once more, so change your tune as always.
Duh they agree to the One China Policy so either remove themselves from it or continue. Why stick with it if they dont trust it?
The Royal Navy is not the third strongest navy in the world.
It's the second strongest.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just so it's clear: Pelosi is Constitutionally 2nd in line to POTUS, so this is a state visit from the standpoint of diplomatic protocol. That, as a former US UN ambassador told me, is a clear violation of the '72 Shanghai Communique. That's why China will respond.</p>— David P. Goldman (@davidpgoldman) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidpgoldman/status/1554147701239037954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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China has warned the United States it is performing a "highly dangerous trick" over Taiwan and "those playing with fire will get burned".
Beijing's ambassador to London - one of his country's most senior diplomats - made the comments in a press conference, hastily convened, to respond to the arrival of top US politician Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan in defiance of Chinese demands to stay away.
Zheng Zeguang said the visit by the US house speaker "seriously violated" a long-standing "One China" principle that means democratically-governed Taiwan must not be treated by the United States as an independent authority.
The ambassador said Ms Pelosi's actions "seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".
"We firmly oppose such an irresponsible, highly provocative and dangerous act," the Chinese diplomat said, speaking in English.
"There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory."
He said Ms Pelosi had raised tensions in the region and warned that the United States would bear the consequences along with forces inside Taiwan pushing for the island's independence.
"This is a highly dangerous trick such as playing with fire and those playing with fire will get burned," Mr Zheng said.
He also had a warning for the UK not to "dance to the tune" of the United States.
Mr Zheng issued a further warning to the US in a Twitter thread he shared after the conference.
He wrote: "The one-China Principle is the premise & foundation for diplomatic relations btw China & US. Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan at any time during her tenure is absolutely unacceptable to China.
"The Chinese side will take resolute necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty & territorial integrity-the unbending will of over 1.4 billion Chinese people. All consequences arising there from must be borne by US side and 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."
The ambassador would not be drawn on commenting directly on remarks by the two politicians vying to become Britain's next prime minister even though both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have chosen to take a hard line on China, calling the country a threat.
"We will work with whoever becomes the new prime minister for the development of a China-UK relationship based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit."
https://news.sky.com/story/taiwan-c...ancy-pelosi-visits-self-ruled-island-12664486
Beijing's ambassador to London - one of his country's most senior diplomats - made the comments in a press conference, hastily convened, to respond to the arrival of top US politician Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan in defiance of Chinese demands to stay away.
Zheng Zeguang said the visit by the US house speaker "seriously violated" a long-standing "One China" principle that means democratically-governed Taiwan must not be treated by the United States as an independent authority.
The ambassador said Ms Pelosi's actions "seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".
"We firmly oppose such an irresponsible, highly provocative and dangerous act," the Chinese diplomat said, speaking in English.
"There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory."
He said Ms Pelosi had raised tensions in the region and warned that the United States would bear the consequences along with forces inside Taiwan pushing for the island's independence.
"This is a highly dangerous trick such as playing with fire and those playing with fire will get burned," Mr Zheng said.
He also had a warning for the UK not to "dance to the tune" of the United States.
Mr Zheng issued a further warning to the US in a Twitter thread he shared after the conference.
He wrote: "The one-China Principle is the premise & foundation for diplomatic relations btw China & US. Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan at any time during her tenure is absolutely unacceptable to China.
"The Chinese side will take resolute necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty & territorial integrity-the unbending will of over 1.4 billion Chinese people. All consequences arising there from must be borne by US side and 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."
The ambassador would not be drawn on commenting directly on remarks by the two politicians vying to become Britain's next prime minister even though both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have chosen to take a hard line on China, calling the country a threat.
"We will work with whoever becomes the new prime minister for the development of a China-UK relationship based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit."
https://news.sky.com/story/taiwan-c...ancy-pelosi-visits-self-ruled-island-12664486
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Chinese military exercises near Taiwan have encroached on the island's territory and amount to a blockade of its sea and air space, the defence ministry has said.
The exercises by the Chinese navy and air force are seen as a direct response to the visit to Taiwan of top US politician Nancy Pelosi, the most senior American politician to visit in 25 years.
The Taiwan Defence Ministry said China had broken UN rules and it would counter any incursions into its territory.
It said the live-fire exercises in the sea and airspace around Taiwan were "endangering international shipping lanes, challenging the international order, undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and endangering the area".
And it accused Beijing of using psychological warfare, urging people to report "fake news" to the authorities.
SKY
The exercises by the Chinese navy and air force are seen as a direct response to the visit to Taiwan of top US politician Nancy Pelosi, the most senior American politician to visit in 25 years.
The Taiwan Defence Ministry said China had broken UN rules and it would counter any incursions into its territory.
It said the live-fire exercises in the sea and airspace around Taiwan were "endangering international shipping lanes, challenging the international order, undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and endangering the area".
And it accused Beijing of using psychological warfare, urging people to report "fake news" to the authorities.
SKY
Missile Drill
Stopped Imports of Frozen Fish from Taiwan
Summon US Ambassador
As they say China will do Chillum Chili
NOW - If ANYTHING happens to Pelosi ( she is 82 ) naturally, thats gonna be interesting
My cousin lives in Taiwan, he was like the mood is not tensed, no one is afraid of any attacks.
Stopped Imports of Frozen Fish from Taiwan
Summon US Ambassador
As they say China will do Chillum Chili
NOW - If ANYTHING happens to Pelosi ( she is 82 ) naturally, thats gonna be interesting
My cousin lives in Taiwan, he was like the mood is not tensed, no one is afraid of any attacks.
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Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its strong commitment to the ‘One-China’ policy amid controversy over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan that has infuriated Beijing.
Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday despite a series of increasingly stark threats from Beijing, which views the island as its territory and had said it would consider the visit a major provocation.
China responded swiftly, warning the US ambassador in Beijing of "extremely serious consequences" and announcing military drills in seas around Taiwan — some of the world's busiest waterways.
Pelosi, second in line to the presidency, is the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar expressed firm support to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in the Taiwan Strait, which has serious implications for regional peace and stability,” the FO said.
It said the world was already reeling through a critical security situation due to the Ukraine conflict, with destabilising implications for international food and energy security.
“The world cannot afford another crisis that has negative consequences for global peace, security and economy,” it said.
The FO said: “Pakistan strongly believes that inter-state relations should be based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of issues by upholding of principles of UN charter, international law and bilateral agreements.”
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/9...n-row-with-us-over-nancy-pelosis-taiwan-visit
Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday despite a series of increasingly stark threats from Beijing, which views the island as its territory and had said it would consider the visit a major provocation.
China responded swiftly, warning the US ambassador in Beijing of "extremely serious consequences" and announcing military drills in seas around Taiwan — some of the world's busiest waterways.
Pelosi, second in line to the presidency, is the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar expressed firm support to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in the Taiwan Strait, which has serious implications for regional peace and stability,” the FO said.
It said the world was already reeling through a critical security situation due to the Ukraine conflict, with destabilising implications for international food and energy security.
“The world cannot afford another crisis that has negative consequences for global peace, security and economy,” it said.
The FO said: “Pakistan strongly believes that inter-state relations should be based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of issues by upholding of principles of UN charter, international law and bilateral agreements.”
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/9...n-row-with-us-over-nancy-pelosis-taiwan-visit
Romali_rotti
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So far China has been all talk.
Come on Xi Jing Pong, back your words, paper meow cat...
Come on Xi Jing Pong, back your words, paper meow cat...
Whats app copy/paste
Funny
Arrival of US Air Force One in Taiwan with US official Nancy Pelosi.
20 Warplanes were escorting Nancy Pelosi's plane including US fighter jets. US air force authorized to open fire in case of any Chinese interference on the plane carrying Nancy Pelosi.
Seems like the US Govt. & Army has "Spit" directly on the face of Xi Jinping by landing a US Air Force plane in Taiwan despite an open threat by China to shoot down the plane if it enters Taiwan air space. AND CHINA KEPT ON WATCHING.....
Incredible courage.
Dragons �� are imaginary but Eagles are real.
This is the brute power of USA
https://www.veed.io/view/be91168f-375f-43c9-ab11-2f4687990a3f?sharingWidget=true
Funny
Arrival of US Air Force One in Taiwan with US official Nancy Pelosi.
20 Warplanes were escorting Nancy Pelosi's plane including US fighter jets. US air force authorized to open fire in case of any Chinese interference on the plane carrying Nancy Pelosi.
Seems like the US Govt. & Army has "Spit" directly on the face of Xi Jinping by landing a US Air Force plane in Taiwan despite an open threat by China to shoot down the plane if it enters Taiwan air space. AND CHINA KEPT ON WATCHING.....
Incredible courage.
Dragons �� are imaginary but Eagles are real.
This is the brute power of USA
https://www.veed.io/view/be91168f-375f-43c9-ab11-2f4687990a3f?sharingWidget=true
Romali_rotti
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So far all talk from the paper dragon, just puffing smoke no fire.
Xi: Dont play with fire
US: Ok we are sending Palosi for sure now, see what you got.
Xi: OH crap, now I am in shi* cause my junk fighter jets and gas turbined air craft carriers are no match for the American F22's & Nuke powered Air craft carriers..
lol It wouldn't even be a fight if China dared to take on the US, they would be blown away so bad it would be pathetic. Xi Jing Ping knows this, he will never taken on US, he will do his tough guy military drills around Taiwan and then after a while everything will go back to normal.
Nothing to see here...
Xi: Dont play with fire
US: Ok we are sending Palosi for sure now, see what you got.
Xi: OH crap, now I am in shi* cause my junk fighter jets and gas turbined air craft carriers are no match for the American F22's & Nuke powered Air craft carriers..
lol It wouldn't even be a fight if China dared to take on the US, they would be blown away so bad it would be pathetic. Xi Jing Ping knows this, he will never taken on US, he will do his tough guy military drills around Taiwan and then after a while everything will go back to normal.
Nothing to see here...
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Nancy Pelosi avoids comment on Taiwan-China row during South Korea visit
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has met South Korean political leaders in Seoul, but avoided making any public comments on relations with China and Taiwan.
Speaking yesterday, Ms Pelosi, the first House speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years, said that the American commitment to democracy on the self-governing island and elsewhere "remains ironclad".
Her visit infuriated China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory rather than a self-ruled country.
It views visits by foreign officials as them recognising the island's sovereignty.
In response, China began military exercises today, including missile strike training, in six zones surrounding Taiwan, in what could be the biggest of their kind since the mid-1990s.
After visiting Taiwan, Ms Pelosi and other members of her congressional delegation flew to South Korea - a key US ally.
She met South Korean National Assembly speaker Kim Jin Pyo and other senior members of parliament.
After that hour-long meeting, Ms Pelosi spoke about the bilateral alliance, but did not directly mention her Taiwan visit or the Chinese protests.
"We also come to say to you that a friendship, a relationship that began from urgency and security, many years ago, has become the warmest of friendships," Ms Pelosi said.
"We want to advance security, economy and governance in the inter-parliamentary way."
SKY
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has met South Korean political leaders in Seoul, but avoided making any public comments on relations with China and Taiwan.
Speaking yesterday, Ms Pelosi, the first House speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years, said that the American commitment to democracy on the self-governing island and elsewhere "remains ironclad".
Her visit infuriated China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory rather than a self-ruled country.
It views visits by foreign officials as them recognising the island's sovereignty.
In response, China began military exercises today, including missile strike training, in six zones surrounding Taiwan, in what could be the biggest of their kind since the mid-1990s.
After visiting Taiwan, Ms Pelosi and other members of her congressional delegation flew to South Korea - a key US ally.
She met South Korean National Assembly speaker Kim Jin Pyo and other senior members of parliament.
After that hour-long meeting, Ms Pelosi spoke about the bilateral alliance, but did not directly mention her Taiwan visit or the Chinese protests.
"We also come to say to you that a friendship, a relationship that began from urgency and security, many years ago, has become the warmest of friendships," Ms Pelosi said.
"We want to advance security, economy and governance in the inter-parliamentary way."
SKY
Robert
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Well, we hear of these fabled hypersonic carrier-killer glide missiles....
They have been carrying out operations in the South China Sea and firing off ballistic missiles. Japan is probably concerned as well as Taiwan.
shortbread
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Apparently there's a lot of social media backlash in china as to why the govt. didn't do more to stop Pelosi from visiting, many asking why her plane wasn't shot down. They need to serve the domestic audience before the big party celebrations.
China never fought a real war with any country. No one knows how powerful they are or how their weapons work or if they even work. With China its all about posturing and blowing smoke.
China is no match for USA when it comes to war.
Go to give it to Nancy Pelosi. She is 82 and still able to travel for long durations in flights.
JaDed
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China isn’t war ready, America is involved in war across and eventhough there might be corruption in American Army they are way ahead tech wise due to corporations and CIA backing.
China can get there with tech in next 25 years the problem would be they haven’t been in war like situations like Americans have been forever.
China can get there with tech in next 25 years the problem would be they haven’t been in war like situations like Americans have been forever.
cricketjoshila
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China is all talk. Their indigenous military weapons technology is not battle tested. Most of their army is a conscription based army. They hardly have any big allies.
They are no match for the USA.
cricketjoshila
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Shoot down Nancy Pelosi? Even Putin wont dare that.
JaDed
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Haha yeah there is something being shared across facebook right now:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China's_final_warning
"China's final warning" (Russian: Последнее китайское предупреждение) is a Russian proverb that originated in the former Soviet Union, to refer to a warning that carries no real consequences.[1]
The People's Republic of China released their first "final warning" to the United States for their reconnaissance flights on 7 September 1958, during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. At the time, the United States considered the Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China, and conducted reconnaissance flights in waters controlled by the People's Republic of China. China would then record such incidents, and issue a "final warning" through diplomatic channels for each incident that occurred. More than 900 Chinese "final warnings" had been issued by the end of 1964.[2]
dildilpak
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Just posturing by China, if they had to attack Taiwan they would have attacked by now. This is only to pander to the Chinese citizens who have started to protest against the housing market collapse, economic slowdown & frequent lockdowns.
An attack or even a blockade of Taiwan is a very complicated and risky military operation. I won’t mince my words. Anyone who thinks that China would easily capture Taiwan is an idiot and anyone who thinks America would get in a military confrontation is an even bigger idiot.
Taking Taiwan involves taking the islands first, all of which are of various sizes and various positions. An amphibious landing is just suicidal until all defences are destroyed, that will take many months.
The easiest way for China to do this is to sanction like mad and use non military means.
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Map of ongoing live-ammo military drills by China, effectively implementing a blockade of Taiwan
daytrader
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Taiwan condemns ‘evil neighbour’ China over war drills
Taiwan blasted its “evil neighbour next door” on Friday after China encircled the island with a series of huge military drills that were condemned by the United States and other Western allies.
Thursday’s military exercises, which are set to continue on Friday, saw China fire ballistics missiles and deploy both fighter jets and warships around Taiwan.
The People’s Liberation Army declared multiple no-go danger zones around Taiwan, straddling some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and at some points coming within 20 kilometres of the island’s shores.
Beijing called the war games a “necessary” response to a visit to the self-ruled, democratic island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but Washington countered that China’s leaders had “chosen to overreact”.
Pelosi defended her visit on Friday, saying Washington will “not allow” China to isolate Taiwan.
“We have said from the start that our representation here is not about changing the status quo here in Asia, changing the status quo in Taiwan,” she told reporters in Tokyo on the final leg of an Asia tour.
Taiwan’s premier Su Tseng-chang, meanwhile, called for allies to push for de-escalation.
“(We) didn’t expect that the evil neighbour next door will show off its power at our door and arbitrarily jeopardise the busiest waterways in the world with its military exercises,” he told reporters.
“We also call on countries in the world that recognise peace and freedom and democracy to work together,” he added.
Missiles over Taiwan
China’s drills involved a “conventional missile firepower assault” in waters to the east of Taiwan, the Chinese military said. Beijing has said the exercises will continue until midday on Sunday.
The state-run Xinhua news agency said the Chinese army “flew more than 100 warplanes including fighters and bombers” during the exercises, as well as “over 10 destroyers and frigates”.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that Chinese missiles had flown directly over Taiwan.
Taiwan said the Chinese military fired 11 Dongfeng-class ballistic missiles “in several batches”, while Japan claimed of the nine missiles it had detected, four were “believed to have flown over Taiwan’s main island”.
Taipei’s military said it would not confirm missile flight paths in a bid to protect its intelligence capabilities and not allow China “to intimidate us”.
‘Temperature’s pretty high’
China’s ruling Communist Party views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary.
But the scale and intensity of the drills have triggered outrage in the United States and other democracies.
“China has chosen to overreact and use the speaker’s visit as a pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait,” John Kirby, a White House spokesman, told reporters.
“The temperature’s pretty high,” but tensions “can come down very easily by just having the Chinese stop these very aggressive military drills,” he added.
Japan lodged a formal diplomatic complaint against Beijing, with five of the missiles believed to have landed in its exclusive economic zone.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called China’s exercises a “serious problem that impacts our national security and the safety of our citizens” and called for an “immediate cancellation of the military drills.”
But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the “flagrant provocation” by the United States had set an “egregious precedent.”
Trading places
The manoeuvers are taking place along some of the busiest shipping routes on the planet, used to supply vital semiconductors and electronic equipment produced in East Asian factory hubs to global markets.
Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau has warned ships to avoid the areas being used for the Chinese drills.
“The shutting down of these transport routes — even temporarily — has consequences not only for Taiwan, but also trade flows tied to Japan and South Korea,” Nick Marro, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s lead analyst for global trade, wrote in a note.
Taiwan said the drills would disrupt 18 international routes passing through its flight information region while several international airlines told AFP they would divert flights.
But markets in Taipei appeared to shrug off the tensions, with the Taiwan Taiex Shipping and Transportation Index, which tracks major shipping and airline stocks, up 2.3 per cent early on Friday.
And analysts broadly agree that despite all its aggressive posturing, Beijing does not want an active military conflict against the United States and its allies over Taiwan — just yet.
“The last thing Xi wants is an accidental war ignited,” Titus Chen, an associate professor of political science at the National Sun Yat-Sen University in Taiwan, told AFP.
DAWN
Taiwan blasted its “evil neighbour next door” on Friday after China encircled the island with a series of huge military drills that were condemned by the United States and other Western allies.
Thursday’s military exercises, which are set to continue on Friday, saw China fire ballistics missiles and deploy both fighter jets and warships around Taiwan.
The People’s Liberation Army declared multiple no-go danger zones around Taiwan, straddling some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and at some points coming within 20 kilometres of the island’s shores.
Beijing called the war games a “necessary” response to a visit to the self-ruled, democratic island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but Washington countered that China’s leaders had “chosen to overreact”.
Pelosi defended her visit on Friday, saying Washington will “not allow” China to isolate Taiwan.
“We have said from the start that our representation here is not about changing the status quo here in Asia, changing the status quo in Taiwan,” she told reporters in Tokyo on the final leg of an Asia tour.
Taiwan’s premier Su Tseng-chang, meanwhile, called for allies to push for de-escalation.
“(We) didn’t expect that the evil neighbour next door will show off its power at our door and arbitrarily jeopardise the busiest waterways in the world with its military exercises,” he told reporters.
“We also call on countries in the world that recognise peace and freedom and democracy to work together,” he added.
Missiles over Taiwan
China’s drills involved a “conventional missile firepower assault” in waters to the east of Taiwan, the Chinese military said. Beijing has said the exercises will continue until midday on Sunday.
The state-run Xinhua news agency said the Chinese army “flew more than 100 warplanes including fighters and bombers” during the exercises, as well as “over 10 destroyers and frigates”.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that Chinese missiles had flown directly over Taiwan.
Taiwan said the Chinese military fired 11 Dongfeng-class ballistic missiles “in several batches”, while Japan claimed of the nine missiles it had detected, four were “believed to have flown over Taiwan’s main island”.
Taipei’s military said it would not confirm missile flight paths in a bid to protect its intelligence capabilities and not allow China “to intimidate us”.
‘Temperature’s pretty high’
China’s ruling Communist Party views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary.
But the scale and intensity of the drills have triggered outrage in the United States and other democracies.
“China has chosen to overreact and use the speaker’s visit as a pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait,” John Kirby, a White House spokesman, told reporters.
“The temperature’s pretty high,” but tensions “can come down very easily by just having the Chinese stop these very aggressive military drills,” he added.
Japan lodged a formal diplomatic complaint against Beijing, with five of the missiles believed to have landed in its exclusive economic zone.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called China’s exercises a “serious problem that impacts our national security and the safety of our citizens” and called for an “immediate cancellation of the military drills.”
But Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the “flagrant provocation” by the United States had set an “egregious precedent.”
Trading places
The manoeuvers are taking place along some of the busiest shipping routes on the planet, used to supply vital semiconductors and electronic equipment produced in East Asian factory hubs to global markets.
Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau has warned ships to avoid the areas being used for the Chinese drills.
“The shutting down of these transport routes — even temporarily — has consequences not only for Taiwan, but also trade flows tied to Japan and South Korea,” Nick Marro, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s lead analyst for global trade, wrote in a note.
Taiwan said the drills would disrupt 18 international routes passing through its flight information region while several international airlines told AFP they would divert flights.
But markets in Taipei appeared to shrug off the tensions, with the Taiwan Taiex Shipping and Transportation Index, which tracks major shipping and airline stocks, up 2.3 per cent early on Friday.
And analysts broadly agree that despite all its aggressive posturing, Beijing does not want an active military conflict against the United States and its allies over Taiwan — just yet.
“The last thing Xi wants is an accidental war ignited,” Titus Chen, an associate professor of political science at the National Sun Yat-Sen University in Taiwan, told AFP.
DAWN
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Beijing halts dialogue with US over climate change in response to Pelosi visit
China has announced that it is halting dialogue with US in a number of areas in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Beijing said it will suspend US/China co-operation on climate change, military issues and anti-drug work.
It comes after reports earlier today that China is sanctioning Ms Pelosi for her visit to the island, which they describe as "trampling on the one-China policy, and threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait".
Ms Pelosi's unannounced visit to the island enraged China, prompting live-fire drills near Taiwan.
China has announced that it is halting dialogue with US in a number of areas in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Beijing said it will suspend US/China co-operation on climate change, military issues and anti-drug work.
It comes after reports earlier today that China is sanctioning Ms Pelosi for her visit to the island, which they describe as "trampling on the one-China policy, and threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait".
Ms Pelosi's unannounced visit to the island enraged China, prompting live-fire drills near Taiwan.
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China on Friday imposed sanctions on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her immediate family in response to what the foreign ministry described as an “egregious provocation.”
Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this week, in what was a highly controversial move. China views the island as part of its territory, but Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
China repeatedly voiced its opposition to Pelosi’s trip to the disputed island, but the U.S. official decided not to cancel her plans.
“In disregard of China’s grave concerns and firm opposition, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting China’s Taiwan region. This constitutes a gross interference in China’s internal affairs. It gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“In response to Pelosi’s egregious provocation, China decides to adopt sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family members in accordance with relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China,” they added.
The statement did not include specific details about the nature of the sanctions.
Political analysts have warned that Pelosi’s decision to visit Taiwan could ratchet up U.S.-China tensions. This relationship has been strained for years over issues such as Taiwan, the world economy and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a phone call last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden not to “play with fire” over Taiwan. The White House said in a statement that U.S. policy had not changed and that it “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years. Her trip also split positions among U.S. lawmakers, with some questioning the timing of the visit.
During the trip, which was part of a broader diplomatic journey through Asia, Pelosi said Taiwan is an emblem of democracy and a model for the region.
In another show of Beijing’s ire over Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China’s military has been conducting its largest-ever military drills near the island.
Taiwanese Defense officials have said the exercises are “highly provocative” and added that they are monitoring the moves.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/chi...speaker-nancy-pelosi-over-trip-to-taiwan.html
Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this week, in what was a highly controversial move. China views the island as part of its territory, but Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
China repeatedly voiced its opposition to Pelosi’s trip to the disputed island, but the U.S. official decided not to cancel her plans.
“In disregard of China’s grave concerns and firm opposition, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting China’s Taiwan region. This constitutes a gross interference in China’s internal affairs. It gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“In response to Pelosi’s egregious provocation, China decides to adopt sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family members in accordance with relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China,” they added.
The statement did not include specific details about the nature of the sanctions.
Political analysts have warned that Pelosi’s decision to visit Taiwan could ratchet up U.S.-China tensions. This relationship has been strained for years over issues such as Taiwan, the world economy and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a phone call last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden not to “play with fire” over Taiwan. The White House said in a statement that U.S. policy had not changed and that it “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years. Her trip also split positions among U.S. lawmakers, with some questioning the timing of the visit.
During the trip, which was part of a broader diplomatic journey through Asia, Pelosi said Taiwan is an emblem of democracy and a model for the region.
In another show of Beijing’s ire over Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China’s military has been conducting its largest-ever military drills near the island.
Taiwanese Defense officials have said the exercises are “highly provocative” and added that they are monitoring the moves.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/chi...speaker-nancy-pelosi-over-trip-to-taiwan.html
KingKhanWC
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Indian media and public thirsting for US to go to war with China. They cant fight China, as usual want others to do their bidding 
There is no need for China to do anything when the US is a declining power , all future estimates point to China overtaking US in every way inc military power.
Even if the Yanks choose to support Taiwan and go to war with China, they will lose. All the Yanks can do is attack some navy ships of China but in return will see their own ships downed along with losing all influence in Taiwan.
American warmongers are attempting to cause more conflicts, risk lives of many and take down the worlds economy.
The terrorist governments of the west are desperate as their nations are going down the toilet.
China will play this smartly, not what Hindutva Indians want them to do.
There is no need for China to do anything when the US is a declining power , all future estimates point to China overtaking US in every way inc military power.
Even if the Yanks choose to support Taiwan and go to war with China, they will lose. All the Yanks can do is attack some navy ships of China but in return will see their own ships downed along with losing all influence in Taiwan.
American warmongers are attempting to cause more conflicts, risk lives of many and take down the worlds economy.
The terrorist governments of the west are desperate as their nations are going down the toilet.
China will play this smartly, not what Hindutva Indians want them to do.
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China is halting co-operation with the US in several key areas including climate change, military talks and efforts to combat international crime.
The new measures follow a trip to Taiwan by a US congressional delegation led by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
China, which also announced it was sanctioning Ms Pelosi and her family, views the visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
The self-ruled island sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
The measures were announced by China's foreign ministry on Friday. It said dialogue between US and Chinese defence officials would be cancelled, while co-operation on returning illegal immigrants, climate change, and investigating international crime would be suspended.
The two major powers have maintained cordial diplomatic ties on the need to combat climate change in recent years. At last year's climate summit in Glasgow, China vowed to work "with urgency" with the US to cut emissions.
The countries have also found rare common cause on efforts to fight the trade of illegal drugs such as fentanyl.
The decision to halt co-operation was taken because Ms Pelosi visited Taiwan "in disregard of China's strong opposition and serious representations," the Chinese ministry said in a statement.
It also accused the US delegation and Ms Pelosi - who is the highest-ranking US politician to travel to the island in 25 years - of "egregious provocations".
In a message posted on Twitter on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying criticised US foreign policy by comparing it to the police killing of George Floyd, the unarmed black American whose death in 2020 sparked global anti-racism protests.
"We cannot allow the US to take itself as 'world policeman' and treat other countries as George Floyd whom it can bully and strangle at will," she wrote.
At a news conference later on Friday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Ms Pelosi "had every right" to go to Taiwan and said China's new measures were "fundamentally irresponsible".
"We'll continue our efforts to keep open lines of communications with Beijing, while defending our interests and values," she said.
BBC
The new measures follow a trip to Taiwan by a US congressional delegation led by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
China, which also announced it was sanctioning Ms Pelosi and her family, views the visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
The self-ruled island sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
The measures were announced by China's foreign ministry on Friday. It said dialogue between US and Chinese defence officials would be cancelled, while co-operation on returning illegal immigrants, climate change, and investigating international crime would be suspended.
The two major powers have maintained cordial diplomatic ties on the need to combat climate change in recent years. At last year's climate summit in Glasgow, China vowed to work "with urgency" with the US to cut emissions.
The countries have also found rare common cause on efforts to fight the trade of illegal drugs such as fentanyl.
The decision to halt co-operation was taken because Ms Pelosi visited Taiwan "in disregard of China's strong opposition and serious representations," the Chinese ministry said in a statement.
It also accused the US delegation and Ms Pelosi - who is the highest-ranking US politician to travel to the island in 25 years - of "egregious provocations".
In a message posted on Twitter on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying criticised US foreign policy by comparing it to the police killing of George Floyd, the unarmed black American whose death in 2020 sparked global anti-racism protests.
"We cannot allow the US to take itself as 'world policeman' and treat other countries as George Floyd whom it can bully and strangle at will," she wrote.
At a news conference later on Friday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Ms Pelosi "had every right" to go to Taiwan and said China's new measures were "fundamentally irresponsible".
"We'll continue our efforts to keep open lines of communications with Beijing, while defending our interests and values," she said.
BBC
Robert
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Halted my climate change talks is very serious and perhaps much more consequential than a war.
I am not sure what Pelosi thought she could achieve - the Speaker has no diplomatic role. It seems ill-advised. I think she should retire now.
I am not sure what Pelosi thought she could achieve - the Speaker has no diplomatic role. It seems ill-advised. I think she should retire now.
daytrader
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Pentagon chiefs’ calls to China go unanswered amid Taiwan crisis
Officials and experts say Beijing's silence is a dangerous move.
Top Chinese military officials have not returned multiple calls from their American counterparts this week as a crisis erupted in the Pacific over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, according to three people with knowledge of the attempts.
Beijing’s ghosting of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley comes as China continues launching missiles and positioning warships and aircraft in unprecedented military drills around Taiwan. Officials and experts say China’s silence is a shortsighted and reckless move that increases the risk of escalation in an already tense situation.
“If the [Chinese military] is operating more aggressively, and in closer proximity to U.S. forces with greater frequency, we’d need these mechanisms even more to promote a safe operating environment,” said Randy Schriver, who served as the top Pentagon official for Asia policy in the Trump administration.
U.S. military leaders strive to maintain open lines of communication even with potential adversaries such as China to prevent accidents and other miscalculations that could turn into a full-blown conflict.
But the last call Milley had with his Chinese counterpart, Chief of the Joint Staff Gen. Li Zuocheng, was on July 7, the Pentagon said. The two spoke by secure video teleconference about the need to maintain open lines of communication, as well as reducing risk, according to a readout from Milley’s office. Austin, meanwhile, met in person with Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe in June on the sideline of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“The secretary has repeatedly emphasized the importance of fully open lines of communication with China’s defense leaders to ensure that we can avoid any miscalculations, and that remains true,” Todd Breasseale, the Pentagon’s acting press secretary, told POLITICO in an email.
China on Friday announced that it was halting certain official dialogues between senior-level U.S. military commanders, including the regional commanders, as well as talks on maritime safety. The announcement does not specifically apply to Austin and Milley’s counterparts, and officials said they are still open to communication between those leaders.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said while the announcement “does not completely eliminate the opportunities for senior members of our military to talk,” it increases the risk of an accident.
“These lines of communications are actually important for helping you reduce the risk of miscalculation and misperception,” Kirby said Friday. “You have this much military hardware operating in confined areas, it’s good, especially now, to have those lines of communication open.”
China is conducting military drills around Taiwan that have broken multiple precedents and fundamentally changed the status quo in the region. Beijing this week launched missiles into Taiwan’s territory, including at least one that appears to have flown over the island, and has sortied ships and aircraft across the median line separating Taiwan’s territorial waters from mainland China.
The U.S., which does not officially recognize Taiwan’s independence but sells weapons to the island, wants to avoid a situation such as on April 1, 2001, when a U.S. Navy EP-3 signals intelligence aircraft and a Chinese J-8 fighter collided in mid-air, prompting an international dispute.
The risk of such an incident is increasingly high. China has recently ramped up aggressive activity in the Pacific, particularly the East and South China seas, alarming U.S. officials. Chinese aircraft and ships have buzzed and harassed U.S. and allied pilots, even conducting an “unsafe” intercept with a U.S. special operations C-130 aircraft in June.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks after receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon.
Yet canceling military dialogue is significant, but not unprecedented, experts said.
“Historically this is definitely part of the playbook,” Schriver said. “Mil-mil [communications] historically is on the chopping block when we have problems with China.”
But Kirby condemned the move as “irresponsible” at a time of escalating tensions.
“We find the shutting down of military communications channels at whatever level and whatever scope and at a time of crisis to be an irresponsible Act,” Kirby said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/05/pentagon-china-calls-taiwan-00050175
Officials and experts say Beijing's silence is a dangerous move.
Top Chinese military officials have not returned multiple calls from their American counterparts this week as a crisis erupted in the Pacific over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, according to three people with knowledge of the attempts.
Beijing’s ghosting of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley comes as China continues launching missiles and positioning warships and aircraft in unprecedented military drills around Taiwan. Officials and experts say China’s silence is a shortsighted and reckless move that increases the risk of escalation in an already tense situation.
“If the [Chinese military] is operating more aggressively, and in closer proximity to U.S. forces with greater frequency, we’d need these mechanisms even more to promote a safe operating environment,” said Randy Schriver, who served as the top Pentagon official for Asia policy in the Trump administration.
U.S. military leaders strive to maintain open lines of communication even with potential adversaries such as China to prevent accidents and other miscalculations that could turn into a full-blown conflict.
But the last call Milley had with his Chinese counterpart, Chief of the Joint Staff Gen. Li Zuocheng, was on July 7, the Pentagon said. The two spoke by secure video teleconference about the need to maintain open lines of communication, as well as reducing risk, according to a readout from Milley’s office. Austin, meanwhile, met in person with Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe in June on the sideline of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“The secretary has repeatedly emphasized the importance of fully open lines of communication with China’s defense leaders to ensure that we can avoid any miscalculations, and that remains true,” Todd Breasseale, the Pentagon’s acting press secretary, told POLITICO in an email.
China on Friday announced that it was halting certain official dialogues between senior-level U.S. military commanders, including the regional commanders, as well as talks on maritime safety. The announcement does not specifically apply to Austin and Milley’s counterparts, and officials said they are still open to communication between those leaders.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said while the announcement “does not completely eliminate the opportunities for senior members of our military to talk,” it increases the risk of an accident.
“These lines of communications are actually important for helping you reduce the risk of miscalculation and misperception,” Kirby said Friday. “You have this much military hardware operating in confined areas, it’s good, especially now, to have those lines of communication open.”
China is conducting military drills around Taiwan that have broken multiple precedents and fundamentally changed the status quo in the region. Beijing this week launched missiles into Taiwan’s territory, including at least one that appears to have flown over the island, and has sortied ships and aircraft across the median line separating Taiwan’s territorial waters from mainland China.
The U.S., which does not officially recognize Taiwan’s independence but sells weapons to the island, wants to avoid a situation such as on April 1, 2001, when a U.S. Navy EP-3 signals intelligence aircraft and a Chinese J-8 fighter collided in mid-air, prompting an international dispute.
The risk of such an incident is increasingly high. China has recently ramped up aggressive activity in the Pacific, particularly the East and South China seas, alarming U.S. officials. Chinese aircraft and ships have buzzed and harassed U.S. and allied pilots, even conducting an “unsafe” intercept with a U.S. special operations C-130 aircraft in June.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks after receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon.
Yet canceling military dialogue is significant, but not unprecedented, experts said.
“Historically this is definitely part of the playbook,” Schriver said. “Mil-mil [communications] historically is on the chopping block when we have problems with China.”
But Kirby condemned the move as “irresponsible” at a time of escalating tensions.
“We find the shutting down of military communications channels at whatever level and whatever scope and at a time of crisis to be an irresponsible Act,” Kirby said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/05/pentagon-china-calls-taiwan-00050175
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Taiwan has accused the Chinese army of simulating an attack on its main island, as Beijing continued the large-scale military drills it began in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent “multiple” warships and aircraft into the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
The ministry said it had also fired flares on Friday night to warn off seven drones flying over the Kinmen islands just off China’s eastern coast, and to warn unidentified aircraft that were flying over its outlying Matsu islands.
“Multiple PLA craft were detected around the Taiwan Strait, some have crossed the median line,” the ministry said on Twitter, referring to a demarcation line that runs down the Taiwan Strait and that Beijing does not recognise.
“Possible simulated attack,” it added.
China’s state media have sought to frame the drills as a war plan rehearsal since they began earlier this week, and said the military got close enough on Friday to visually confirm the island’s coastline and mountain ranges.
“Today, my comrades-in-arms and I were ordered to conduct a close-in deterrence mission, in which we looked down at the coastline and the Central Mountain Range of the Taiwan island within visual range,” Hou Hong, a pilot at a brigade attached to the PLA Eastern Theater Command Air Force told the state-run Global Times.
Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.
The United States, while maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan and is bound by law to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.
Relations between Beijing and Washington were already strained – over issues from trade, to the treatment of the mostly Muslim Uighurs and Hong Kong – but the situation has deteriorated further with the visit of Pelosi, who is the highest-profile US official to visit Taiwan in decades.
Cooperation withdrawn
China fired ballistic missiles over Taiwan after Pelosi had left, with the unprecedented drills in six locations around the island due to end at noon (04:00 GMT) on Sunday. It has said it will halt cooperation with the US in eight specific areas, including climate change, cross-border crime prevention and military issues.
Christopher Twomey, a security scholar at the US Naval Postgraduate School in California, told Reuters news agency he believed it was the beginning of a new Taiwan crisis and that the severing of communication links was worrying.
“This increased density of forces, in the context of an intensifying crisis, raises the prospect for inadvertent escalation that neither side wants,” Twomey said, speaking in a private capacity.
“That is precisely the time you would want to have more opportunities to talk to the other side … Losing those channels greatly reduces the ability of the two sides to de-conflict military forces as various exercises and operations continue.”
As China continues to showcase its military strength around Taiwan, at least four US vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam are east of Taiwan, Reuters said it had confirmed.
The United Nations and others have called for urgent de-escalation.
On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Philippines, where new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr faces a tricky challenge in balancing Manila’s relations with the two major powers.
Blinken assured foreign secretary Enrique Manalo that Washington was determined to avoid a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, and reassured Marcos Jr that the US was committed to the two countries’ mutual defence treaty.
Taiwan also dominated discussions as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and counterparts from countries including the US, China, Russia and Japan met in Phnom Penh this week.
“There is no justification for this extreme, disproportionate and escalatory military response,” Blinken told a news conference on the sidelines of those meetings.
“Now, they’ve taken dangerous acts to a new level.”
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, speaking later, accused Blinken of “speaking untruthfully”.
“We wish to issue a warning to the United States: Do not act rashly, do not create a greater crisis,” Wang said.
Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949 when Mao Zedong’s communists took power in Beijing at the end of the Chinese civil war, and the defeated nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek set up government in Taipei.
The last major crisis in the Taiwan Strait was in 1996 as the island prepared for its first democratic presidential election.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022...ina-of-invasion-simulation-as-drills-continue
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent “multiple” warships and aircraft into the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
The ministry said it had also fired flares on Friday night to warn off seven drones flying over the Kinmen islands just off China’s eastern coast, and to warn unidentified aircraft that were flying over its outlying Matsu islands.
“Multiple PLA craft were detected around the Taiwan Strait, some have crossed the median line,” the ministry said on Twitter, referring to a demarcation line that runs down the Taiwan Strait and that Beijing does not recognise.
“Possible simulated attack,” it added.
China’s state media have sought to frame the drills as a war plan rehearsal since they began earlier this week, and said the military got close enough on Friday to visually confirm the island’s coastline and mountain ranges.
“Today, my comrades-in-arms and I were ordered to conduct a close-in deterrence mission, in which we looked down at the coastline and the Central Mountain Range of the Taiwan island within visual range,” Hou Hong, a pilot at a brigade attached to the PLA Eastern Theater Command Air Force told the state-run Global Times.
Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.
The United States, while maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan and is bound by law to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.
Relations between Beijing and Washington were already strained – over issues from trade, to the treatment of the mostly Muslim Uighurs and Hong Kong – but the situation has deteriorated further with the visit of Pelosi, who is the highest-profile US official to visit Taiwan in decades.
Cooperation withdrawn
China fired ballistic missiles over Taiwan after Pelosi had left, with the unprecedented drills in six locations around the island due to end at noon (04:00 GMT) on Sunday. It has said it will halt cooperation with the US in eight specific areas, including climate change, cross-border crime prevention and military issues.
Christopher Twomey, a security scholar at the US Naval Postgraduate School in California, told Reuters news agency he believed it was the beginning of a new Taiwan crisis and that the severing of communication links was worrying.
“This increased density of forces, in the context of an intensifying crisis, raises the prospect for inadvertent escalation that neither side wants,” Twomey said, speaking in a private capacity.
“That is precisely the time you would want to have more opportunities to talk to the other side … Losing those channels greatly reduces the ability of the two sides to de-conflict military forces as various exercises and operations continue.”
As China continues to showcase its military strength around Taiwan, at least four US vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam are east of Taiwan, Reuters said it had confirmed.
The United Nations and others have called for urgent de-escalation.
On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Philippines, where new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr faces a tricky challenge in balancing Manila’s relations with the two major powers.
Blinken assured foreign secretary Enrique Manalo that Washington was determined to avoid a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, and reassured Marcos Jr that the US was committed to the two countries’ mutual defence treaty.
Taiwan also dominated discussions as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and counterparts from countries including the US, China, Russia and Japan met in Phnom Penh this week.
“There is no justification for this extreme, disproportionate and escalatory military response,” Blinken told a news conference on the sidelines of those meetings.
“Now, they’ve taken dangerous acts to a new level.”
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, speaking later, accused Blinken of “speaking untruthfully”.
“We wish to issue a warning to the United States: Do not act rashly, do not create a greater crisis,” Wang said.
Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949 when Mao Zedong’s communists took power in Beijing at the end of the Chinese civil war, and the defeated nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek set up government in Taipei.
The last major crisis in the Taiwan Strait was in 1996 as the island prepared for its first democratic presidential election.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022...ina-of-invasion-simulation-as-drills-continue
sweep_shot
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I doubt any war will happen as a war is not good for China. It can cripple their economy.
What Pelosi did was irresponsible though.
What Pelosi did was irresponsible though.
daytrader
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Taiwan: US hits out at 'irresponsible' China amid attack rehearsal claims
The United States has accused Beijing of "provocative" and "irresponsible" actions after Taiwan said China rehearsed an attack on the island.
Taiwan said it responded to the Chinese drills, now in their fourth day, by deploying aircraft and ships on Sunday.
The heightened tensions follow a trip to Taiwan by a US delegation led by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
China views the visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, which sees itself as distinct.
Taiwan's defence ministry said Chinese ships and planes carried out missions in the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, with some crossing the median line - an unofficial buffer separating the two sides.
The Taiwan military said it responded "appropriately" to the live-fire exercises, which it described as a simulated attack on the island, by dispatching multiple aircraft and ships on Sunday morning, Reuters news agency reports.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, premier Su Tseng-chang accused China of "arrogantly" using the exercises to disrupt regional stability and appealed for restraint from the Chinese side.
Beijing has not commented on the latest exercises, but its four-day long series of military drills in the air and seas around Taiwan are expected to finish on Sunday.
Washington has accused China of escalating tensions.
"These activities are a significant escalation in China's efforts to change the status quo. They are provocative, irresponsible and raise the risk of miscalculation," a White House spokesperson said.
"They are also at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is what the world expects."
China said Ms Pelosi's visit "seriously threatened" peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. However, Taiwan is a self-ruled island that sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
But any hint of recognition of this by world leaders enrages China. It announced on Friday that sanctions have been placed on Ms Pelosi and her family over the visit.
Beijing also announced it was halting co-operation with the US in several key areas including climate change, military talks and efforts to combat international crime.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of taking "irresponsible steps" by blocking key communication channels with Washington.
Ms Pelosi - a long-time China critic and the highest-ranking US politician to travel to the island in 25 years - arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, despite Beijing's warnings.
During her visit, Ms Pelosi said that "the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy".
China and Taiwan: The basics
Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself
The United States has accused Beijing of "provocative" and "irresponsible" actions after Taiwan said China rehearsed an attack on the island.
Taiwan said it responded to the Chinese drills, now in their fourth day, by deploying aircraft and ships on Sunday.
The heightened tensions follow a trip to Taiwan by a US delegation led by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
China views the visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, which sees itself as distinct.
Taiwan's defence ministry said Chinese ships and planes carried out missions in the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, with some crossing the median line - an unofficial buffer separating the two sides.
The Taiwan military said it responded "appropriately" to the live-fire exercises, which it described as a simulated attack on the island, by dispatching multiple aircraft and ships on Sunday morning, Reuters news agency reports.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, premier Su Tseng-chang accused China of "arrogantly" using the exercises to disrupt regional stability and appealed for restraint from the Chinese side.
Beijing has not commented on the latest exercises, but its four-day long series of military drills in the air and seas around Taiwan are expected to finish on Sunday.
Washington has accused China of escalating tensions.
"These activities are a significant escalation in China's efforts to change the status quo. They are provocative, irresponsible and raise the risk of miscalculation," a White House spokesperson said.
"They are also at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is what the world expects."
China said Ms Pelosi's visit "seriously threatened" peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. However, Taiwan is a self-ruled island that sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
But any hint of recognition of this by world leaders enrages China. It announced on Friday that sanctions have been placed on Ms Pelosi and her family over the visit.
Beijing also announced it was halting co-operation with the US in several key areas including climate change, military talks and efforts to combat international crime.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of taking "irresponsible steps" by blocking key communication channels with Washington.
Ms Pelosi - a long-time China critic and the highest-ranking US politician to travel to the island in 25 years - arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, despite Beijing's warnings.
During her visit, Ms Pelosi said that "the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy".
China and Taiwan: The basics
Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself
JaDed
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Indian media and public thirsting for US to go to war with China. They cant fight China, as usual want others to do their bidding
There is no need for China to do anything when the US is a declining power , all future estimates point to China overtaking US in every way inc military power.
Even if the Yanks choose to support Taiwan and go to war with China, they will lose. All the Yanks can do is attack some navy ships of China but in return will see their own ships downed along with losing all influence in Taiwan.
American warmongers are attempting to cause more conflicts, risk lives of many and take down the worlds economy.
The terrorist governments of the west are desperate as their nations are going down the toilet.
China will play this smartly, not what Hindutva Indians want them to do.
It was China’s who talked a big game as to what they would do if Pelosi flew to Taiwan.
US doesn’t want a war with China, it just wants to remind China that it still can’t mess with America and touch its leaders.
This isn’t about India, it’s reporting better than what Global times did the day Pelosi flew to Taiwan.
Romali_rotti
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https://www.businessinsider.com/us-orders-aircraft-carrier-near-taiwan-tensions-with-china-2022-8
The Pentagon has ordered a US aircraft carrier to remain in waters near Taiwan, a top White House official said, as China continues to express its anger over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit this week through a significant show of combat power around the island.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered that the "USS Ronald Reagan and the ships in her strike group will remain on station in the general area to monitor the situation," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a Thursday briefing.
"We will conduct standard air and maritime transits through the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, consistent, again, with our longstanding approach to defending the freedom of the seas and international law," he added. "And, we will take further steps to demonstrate our commitment to the security of our allies in the region."
Ahead of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this week, the Japan-based USS Ronald Reagan, America's only forward-deployed carrier, and two other US Navy flattops, amphibious assault ships USS America and USS Tripoli, were reported to be operating in waters near the self-ruled island.
Both the Tripoli and the America carry advanced fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters, while the Reagan carries a larger air wing of F/A-18 jets, among other aviation assets.
The US Navy vessels were said to be conducting normal operations and were not a response to Beijing's repeated warnings of a possible military reaction to the trip. The Reagan is, however, now extending its deployment in the Western Pacific amid an uptick in tensions.
Since Pelosi's Tuesday visit to Taiwan, tensions in the region have remained high, and China's People's Liberation Army has increased its pressure on the democratic island through military exercises this week, drills that have involved firing ballistic missiles over and around Taiwan, as well as flying dozens of fighter jets into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
In its latest move, Beijing deployed 68 aircraft and 13 vessels for military activities around the Taiwan Strait on Friday, Taipei's defense ministry said in a tweet. Some military assets in the group crossed the median line dividing the Taiwan Strait. While this is not unprecedented, such moves are less common.
Taiwan's military "responded to such a situation accordingly with surveillance systems, CAP aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems," the defense ministry said.
"We condemn such action that disturbed our surrounding airspace and waters and continue to ensure our democracy and freedom free from threats," it added.
It was not immediately clear what aircraft and ships China dispatched, though the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times reported that the show of force included fighter jets, electronic recon aircraft, bombers, and early warning aircraft. It said pilots were close enough to see Taiwan's coast and mountain range.
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-orders-aircraft-carrier-near-taiwan-tensions-with-china-2022-8
__________________________________________________________________________________
Yaaawwwwn, is Xi going to do anything ?? Getting tired of this wait, when is China going to attack US ? All this dont play with fire talk but no action.....
All smoke zero fire
) ) )
The Pentagon has ordered a US aircraft carrier to remain in waters near Taiwan, a top White House official said, as China continues to express its anger over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit this week through a significant show of combat power around the island.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered that the "USS Ronald Reagan and the ships in her strike group will remain on station in the general area to monitor the situation," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a Thursday briefing.
"We will conduct standard air and maritime transits through the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, consistent, again, with our longstanding approach to defending the freedom of the seas and international law," he added. "And, we will take further steps to demonstrate our commitment to the security of our allies in the region."
Ahead of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this week, the Japan-based USS Ronald Reagan, America's only forward-deployed carrier, and two other US Navy flattops, amphibious assault ships USS America and USS Tripoli, were reported to be operating in waters near the self-ruled island.
Both the Tripoli and the America carry advanced fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters, while the Reagan carries a larger air wing of F/A-18 jets, among other aviation assets.
The US Navy vessels were said to be conducting normal operations and were not a response to Beijing's repeated warnings of a possible military reaction to the trip. The Reagan is, however, now extending its deployment in the Western Pacific amid an uptick in tensions.
Since Pelosi's Tuesday visit to Taiwan, tensions in the region have remained high, and China's People's Liberation Army has increased its pressure on the democratic island through military exercises this week, drills that have involved firing ballistic missiles over and around Taiwan, as well as flying dozens of fighter jets into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
In its latest move, Beijing deployed 68 aircraft and 13 vessels for military activities around the Taiwan Strait on Friday, Taipei's defense ministry said in a tweet. Some military assets in the group crossed the median line dividing the Taiwan Strait. While this is not unprecedented, such moves are less common.
Taiwan's military "responded to such a situation accordingly with surveillance systems, CAP aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems," the defense ministry said.
"We condemn such action that disturbed our surrounding airspace and waters and continue to ensure our democracy and freedom free from threats," it added.
It was not immediately clear what aircraft and ships China dispatched, though the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times reported that the show of force included fighter jets, electronic recon aircraft, bombers, and early warning aircraft. It said pilots were close enough to see Taiwan's coast and mountain range.
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-orders-aircraft-carrier-near-taiwan-tensions-with-china-2022-8
__________________________________________________________________________________
Yaaawwwwn, is Xi going to do anything ?? Getting tired of this wait, when is China going to attack US ? All this dont play with fire talk but no action.....
All smoke zero fire
) ) )
KingKhanWC
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I know what its about. I was pointing out and referring to some Indian posters on here along with the Indian media. We both know India would love for China to be ruined, esp the Hindutva brigade but this wont happen.
US cant warn America lol. China is a huge superpower but in military and economic terms, this isnt the 80's.
China can take complete control of their own land, Taiwan US and India cant do jack.
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Shipping in the Taiwan Strait showed signs of returning to normal, despite a lack of clarity over whether China’s military exercises around the island have ended.
More than 30 vessels have transited through China’s drill zone south of Taiwan’s main port since Sunday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, with the latest ship positions showing four of the total six zones being traversed.
More than 30 vessels have transited through China’s drill zone south of Taiwan’s main port since Sunday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, with the latest ship positions showing four of the total six zones being traversed.
Robert
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Xi is not ready to fight Uncle Sam. This sabre-rattling is to intimidate nations in their sphere of influence.
Give it another generation for China to get stronger. They think a hundred years ahead, unlike Western democrats who think about the next election cycle.
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China's military says it is continuing large-scale military drills around Taiwan after its previously announced live fire exercises ended on Sunday.
The Chinese army's Eastern Theatre Command said that it would practice anti-submarine attacks and sea raids.
The earlier four days of exercises were Beijing's response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.
Taiwan has accused China of using these drills as practice for an invasion of the island.
On Monday Taiwan said Chinese aircraft and ships had not entered its territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (22km; 14 miles) from the coast, during the exercises so far.
The US, along with Australia and Japan, have condemned the drills, saying their objective is to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait - the 180km-wide (110 miles) body of water between the mainland and the island.
The Chinese army's Eastern Theatre Command said that it would practice anti-submarine attacks and sea raids.
The earlier four days of exercises were Beijing's response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.
Taiwan has accused China of using these drills as practice for an invasion of the island.
On Monday Taiwan said Chinese aircraft and ships had not entered its territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (22km; 14 miles) from the coast, during the exercises so far.
The US, along with Australia and Japan, have condemned the drills, saying their objective is to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait - the 180km-wide (110 miles) body of water between the mainland and the island.
Technics 1210
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According to FT, shipment of the iPhone 14 maybe delayed after the Pelosi stunt.
daytrader
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China Using Drills To "Prepare For Invasion": Taiwan Foreign Minister
Taiwan had on Monday slammed China for conducting fresh air and sea drills around the island
Taipei: Taiwan held an artillery drill Tuesday simulating defence against an attack as its top diplomat accused Beijing of preparing to invade the island after days of massive Chinese war games.
China launched its largest-ever air and sea exercises around Taiwan last week in a furious response to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island in decades.
Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views its neighbour as part of Chinese territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.
"China has used the drills in its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," foreign minister Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday, accusing Beijing of using Pelosi's visit as a pretext for military action.
"China's real intention is to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and entire region," he said.
The Chinese military said its Taiwan drills continued Tuesday and involved air and sea units.
The Eastern Theater command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement that it was conducting training exercises around the island, "focusing on joint blockade and joint support operations".
Taipei's drill started in the southern county of Pingtung shortly after 0040 GMT with the firing of target flares and artillery, ending just under an hour later at 0130 GMT, said Lou Woei-jye, spokesman for Taiwan's Eighth Army Corps.
Soldiers fired from howitzers tucked into the coast, hidden from view of the road that leads to popular beach destination Kenting.
The drills, which will also take place Thursday, included the deployment of hundreds of troops and about 40 howitzers, the army said.
On Monday, Lou told AFP the drills had been scheduled previously and were not in response to China's exercises.
The island routinely stages military drills simulating defence against a Chinese invasion, and last month practised repelling attacks from the sea in a "joint interception operation" as part of its largest annual exercises.
'Not worried'
The anti-landing exercise took place after China extended its own joint sea and air drills around Taiwan on Monday, but Washington said it did not expect an escalation from Beijing.
"I'm not worried, but I'm concerned they're moving as much as they are. But I don't think they're going to do anything more than they are," Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base.
Taiwan's Wu on Tuesday condemned Beijing for pressing on with military exercises around the island, accusing them of trying to control the Taiwan Strait and waters in the wider Asia-Pacific region.
"It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyber-attacks, a disinformation campaign and economic coercion in order to weaken public morale in Taiwan," he said.
Wu went on to thank Western allies, including the US after Pelosi's visit, for standing up to China.
"It also sends a clear message to the world that democracy will not bow to the intimidation of authoritarianism," he said.
Taiwan has insisted that no Chinese warplanes or ships entered its territorial waters -- within 12 nautical miles of land -- during Beijing's drills.
The Chinese military, however, released a video last week of an air force pilot filming the island's coastline and mountains from his cockpit, showing how close it had come to Taiwan's shores.
Its ships and planes have also regularly crossed the median line -- an unofficial demarcation between China and Taiwan that the former does not recognise -- since drills began last week.
Ballistic missiles were fired over Taiwan's capital, Taipei, during the exercises last week, according to Chinese state media.
'Issuing a warning'
On Tuesday, the Chinese military released more details about the anti-submarine drills it had conducted a day earlier around the island.
The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater command said the exercises were aimed at enhancing the ability of air and sea units to work together while hunting submarines.
It said maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, helicopters and a destroyer practiced locating and attacking targets in the waters off Taiwan.
The scale and intensity of China's drills -- as well as its withdrawal from key talks on climate and defence -- have triggered outrage in the United States and other democracies.
But Beijing on Monday defended its behaviour as "firm, forceful and appropriate" to American provocation.
"(We) are only issuing a warning to the perpetrators," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing, promising China would "firmly smash the Taiwan authorities' illusion of gaining independence through the US".
"We urge the US to do some earnest reflection, and immediately correct its mistakes."
NDTV
Taiwan had on Monday slammed China for conducting fresh air and sea drills around the island
Taipei: Taiwan held an artillery drill Tuesday simulating defence against an attack as its top diplomat accused Beijing of preparing to invade the island after days of massive Chinese war games.
China launched its largest-ever air and sea exercises around Taiwan last week in a furious response to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island in decades.
Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views its neighbour as part of Chinese territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.
"China has used the drills in its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," foreign minister Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday, accusing Beijing of using Pelosi's visit as a pretext for military action.
"China's real intention is to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and entire region," he said.
The Chinese military said its Taiwan drills continued Tuesday and involved air and sea units.
The Eastern Theater command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement that it was conducting training exercises around the island, "focusing on joint blockade and joint support operations".
Taipei's drill started in the southern county of Pingtung shortly after 0040 GMT with the firing of target flares and artillery, ending just under an hour later at 0130 GMT, said Lou Woei-jye, spokesman for Taiwan's Eighth Army Corps.
Soldiers fired from howitzers tucked into the coast, hidden from view of the road that leads to popular beach destination Kenting.
The drills, which will also take place Thursday, included the deployment of hundreds of troops and about 40 howitzers, the army said.
On Monday, Lou told AFP the drills had been scheduled previously and were not in response to China's exercises.
The island routinely stages military drills simulating defence against a Chinese invasion, and last month practised repelling attacks from the sea in a "joint interception operation" as part of its largest annual exercises.
'Not worried'
The anti-landing exercise took place after China extended its own joint sea and air drills around Taiwan on Monday, but Washington said it did not expect an escalation from Beijing.
"I'm not worried, but I'm concerned they're moving as much as they are. But I don't think they're going to do anything more than they are," Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base.
Taiwan's Wu on Tuesday condemned Beijing for pressing on with military exercises around the island, accusing them of trying to control the Taiwan Strait and waters in the wider Asia-Pacific region.
"It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyber-attacks, a disinformation campaign and economic coercion in order to weaken public morale in Taiwan," he said.
Wu went on to thank Western allies, including the US after Pelosi's visit, for standing up to China.
"It also sends a clear message to the world that democracy will not bow to the intimidation of authoritarianism," he said.
Taiwan has insisted that no Chinese warplanes or ships entered its territorial waters -- within 12 nautical miles of land -- during Beijing's drills.
The Chinese military, however, released a video last week of an air force pilot filming the island's coastline and mountains from his cockpit, showing how close it had come to Taiwan's shores.
Its ships and planes have also regularly crossed the median line -- an unofficial demarcation between China and Taiwan that the former does not recognise -- since drills began last week.
Ballistic missiles were fired over Taiwan's capital, Taipei, during the exercises last week, according to Chinese state media.
'Issuing a warning'
On Tuesday, the Chinese military released more details about the anti-submarine drills it had conducted a day earlier around the island.
The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater command said the exercises were aimed at enhancing the ability of air and sea units to work together while hunting submarines.
It said maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, helicopters and a destroyer practiced locating and attacking targets in the waters off Taiwan.
The scale and intensity of China's drills -- as well as its withdrawal from key talks on climate and defence -- have triggered outrage in the United States and other democracies.
But Beijing on Monday defended its behaviour as "firm, forceful and appropriate" to American provocation.
"(We) are only issuing a warning to the perpetrators," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing, promising China would "firmly smash the Taiwan authorities' illusion of gaining independence through the US".
"We urge the US to do some earnest reflection, and immediately correct its mistakes."
NDTV
daytrader
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After Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia Withdraw From China Cooperation Group Over Taiwan Issue
Following Lithuania, Baltic countries Latvia & Estonia on Thursday stepped back from the China Cooperation Group, drawing massive flak from Beijing.
Following Lithuania, Baltic countries Latvia & Estonia on Thursday stepped back from the China Cooperation Group, drawing massive flak from Beijing. The coordinated move came amid growing Chinese aggression against Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit earlier this month.
The two European nations followed in the footsteps of Lithuania, which irked China last year after permitting the opening of the de facto Taiwan embassy in Vilnius. The decision infuriated Beijing, who dubbed the attempt "erroneous" accusing the country of violating its commitment to the One-China Policy.
For the unversed, under the One-China principle, Beijing considers Taiwan an alienated portion from the mainland and hopes to reinstate Taipei under CCP governance.
Meanwhile, as many as 9 more central and east European countries, including Croatia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are still part of the Chinese arrangement. The China-CEE was founded in 2012 in Budapest between Beijing and 14+1 other countries to promote cultural ties, education, and tourism. Reports also suggest that the format is in line with extending relations to push the CCP's brainchild the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to support areas of business, infrastructure, transportation, logistics, and bilateral ties. Summits were held in the capitals of the participants of China-CEE until Lithuania opted out of the partnership in 2021.
Estonia & Latvia to maintain 'constructive and pragmatic relations' with China
In a statement released by Estonia and Latvia, both sides mentioned that they will continue to maintain "constructive and pragmatic relations" with China despite the withdrawal. However, they will carry on adhering to the international rules-based order and human rights. Latvian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that its cooperation with the China-led group was "no longer in line with Riga's strategic objectives in the current international environment," referring to growing Beijing's military aggression against Taiwan.
China threatens 'stern retaliation' after Lithuanian delegation visits Taiwan
Amid ongoing hostilities between China and Taiwan, the Chinese administration on Thursday vehemently condemned a Lithuanian delegation's visit to the island nation and threatened to take "stern retaliation measures." This came after a Lithuanian delegation led by the country's Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaiciukeviciute arrived in Taiwan on August 7 for a five-day visit. "China strongly condemns the Lithuanian anti-China forces for their deliberate violation of China's sovereignty and gross interference in China's internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson WangWenbin stated, as per Xinhua news agency.
https://www.republicworld.com/world...tion-group-over-taiwan-issue-articleshow.html
Following Lithuania, Baltic countries Latvia & Estonia on Thursday stepped back from the China Cooperation Group, drawing massive flak from Beijing.
Following Lithuania, Baltic countries Latvia & Estonia on Thursday stepped back from the China Cooperation Group, drawing massive flak from Beijing. The coordinated move came amid growing Chinese aggression against Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit earlier this month.
The two European nations followed in the footsteps of Lithuania, which irked China last year after permitting the opening of the de facto Taiwan embassy in Vilnius. The decision infuriated Beijing, who dubbed the attempt "erroneous" accusing the country of violating its commitment to the One-China Policy.
For the unversed, under the One-China principle, Beijing considers Taiwan an alienated portion from the mainland and hopes to reinstate Taipei under CCP governance.
Meanwhile, as many as 9 more central and east European countries, including Croatia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are still part of the Chinese arrangement. The China-CEE was founded in 2012 in Budapest between Beijing and 14+1 other countries to promote cultural ties, education, and tourism. Reports also suggest that the format is in line with extending relations to push the CCP's brainchild the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to support areas of business, infrastructure, transportation, logistics, and bilateral ties. Summits were held in the capitals of the participants of China-CEE until Lithuania opted out of the partnership in 2021.
Estonia & Latvia to maintain 'constructive and pragmatic relations' with China
In a statement released by Estonia and Latvia, both sides mentioned that they will continue to maintain "constructive and pragmatic relations" with China despite the withdrawal. However, they will carry on adhering to the international rules-based order and human rights. Latvian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that its cooperation with the China-led group was "no longer in line with Riga's strategic objectives in the current international environment," referring to growing Beijing's military aggression against Taiwan.
China threatens 'stern retaliation' after Lithuanian delegation visits Taiwan
Amid ongoing hostilities between China and Taiwan, the Chinese administration on Thursday vehemently condemned a Lithuanian delegation's visit to the island nation and threatened to take "stern retaliation measures." This came after a Lithuanian delegation led by the country's Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaiciukeviciute arrived in Taiwan on August 7 for a five-day visit. "China strongly condemns the Lithuanian anti-China forces for their deliberate violation of China's sovereignty and gross interference in China's internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson WangWenbin stated, as per Xinhua news agency.
https://www.republicworld.com/world...tion-group-over-taiwan-issue-articleshow.html
daytrader
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"Sincere Gratitude": Taiwan Thanks US for Maintaining Security In Region
The statement came in response to comments from US Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, who said on Friday that China "overreacted" to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed its "sincere gratitude" towards the United States for taking "concrete actions" to maintain security and peace in the Taiwan Strait and the region, it said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement came in response to comments from US Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, who said on Friday that China "overreacted" to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
NDTV
The statement came in response to comments from US Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, who said on Friday that China "overreacted" to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed its "sincere gratitude" towards the United States for taking "concrete actions" to maintain security and peace in the Taiwan Strait and the region, it said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement came in response to comments from US Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, who said on Friday that China "overreacted" to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
NDTV
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A US congressional delegation has arrived for an unannounced visit to Taiwan, 12 days after a tour of the island by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Five members of Congress will visit until Monday, said Washington's de-facto embassy in the capital Taipei.
China launched its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan after Ms Pelosi's visit earlier in August.
Beijing sees the self-governing island as its own, renegade territory that must be reunited with the mainland.
It believes that mission could be necessary with force, if other attempts at unification are unsuccessful.
Ms Pelosi became the most senior American politician to visit the island in 25 years during her appearance earlier this month.
Her brief, but controversial, stopover was labelled "manic, irresponsible and irrational" by the Chinese foreign minister.
Speaking during a meeting of south-east Asian foreign ministers in Cambodia, Wang Yi insisted that Taiwan would "eventually return to the embrace of the motherland".
Beijing continues to carry out military drills near the island. Earlier on Sunday, Taipei said it had detected 22 Chinese aircraft and six naval ships in and around the Taiwan Strait.
At the height of China's military exercises, Taiwan accused its neighbour of trying to change the status quo in the region.
On Sunday, its foreign ministry published photos of members of the US congressional delegation being greeted at an airport.
A statement from the American Institute in Taiwan said the team's visit was part of a wider visit to the Indo-Pacific region.
It added that the five members - led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey - would discuss issues including regional security, trade and investment with Taiwanese leaders.
The group are due to meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday.
President Tsai's office said the month's second high-level American visit signalled "firm support" for Taiwan.
The US does not officially recognise Taiwan - only a few countries do - however, it does maintain a strong relationship with the island, which includes selling weapons for Taiwan to defend itself.
BBC
Five members of Congress will visit until Monday, said Washington's de-facto embassy in the capital Taipei.
China launched its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan after Ms Pelosi's visit earlier in August.
Beijing sees the self-governing island as its own, renegade territory that must be reunited with the mainland.
It believes that mission could be necessary with force, if other attempts at unification are unsuccessful.
Ms Pelosi became the most senior American politician to visit the island in 25 years during her appearance earlier this month.
Her brief, but controversial, stopover was labelled "manic, irresponsible and irrational" by the Chinese foreign minister.
Speaking during a meeting of south-east Asian foreign ministers in Cambodia, Wang Yi insisted that Taiwan would "eventually return to the embrace of the motherland".
Beijing continues to carry out military drills near the island. Earlier on Sunday, Taipei said it had detected 22 Chinese aircraft and six naval ships in and around the Taiwan Strait.
At the height of China's military exercises, Taiwan accused its neighbour of trying to change the status quo in the region.
On Sunday, its foreign ministry published photos of members of the US congressional delegation being greeted at an airport.
A statement from the American Institute in Taiwan said the team's visit was part of a wider visit to the Indo-Pacific region.
It added that the five members - led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey - would discuss issues including regional security, trade and investment with Taiwanese leaders.
The group are due to meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday.
President Tsai's office said the month's second high-level American visit signalled "firm support" for Taiwan.
The US does not officially recognise Taiwan - only a few countries do - however, it does maintain a strong relationship with the island, which includes selling weapons for Taiwan to defend itself.
BBC
Romali_rotti
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Lol
US openly calling out China left right and centre..Come on China do somethinģgggggggggggggggggg, I am sick of this wait..
Show you are the dragon line up the junk fighter jets vs the F22s.
Let's go..
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China has announced more military drills around Taiwan as a number of US politicians visited the island nation.
Previous exercises have only just ceased.
The Chinese Communist Party, which rules on the mainland, claims Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China.
Taiwan claims it is an independent nation, known as the Republic of China.
Tensions between the two have grown recently following visits from American politicians.
The exercises are intended as a "resolute response and solemn deterrent against collusion and provocation between the US and Taiwan," China's defence ministry said.
Nancy Pelosi became the first US House Speaker to travel to the island for 25 years when she stopped there at the start of the month.
Previous exercises have only just ceased.
The Chinese Communist Party, which rules on the mainland, claims Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China.
Taiwan claims it is an independent nation, known as the Republic of China.
Tensions between the two have grown recently following visits from American politicians.
The exercises are intended as a "resolute response and solemn deterrent against collusion and provocation between the US and Taiwan," China's defence ministry said.
Nancy Pelosi became the first US House Speaker to travel to the island for 25 years when she stopped there at the start of the month.
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Two US warships are passing through the Taiwan Strait, the US Navy has announced.
It is the first such operation to take place since tensions between Taiwan and China increased following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan earlier this month.
China reacted by holding large-scale military drills in the area.
The US and other Western navies have routinely sailed through the strait in recent years.
Washington says the two guided-missile cruisers - the USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville - are demonstrating freedom of navigation through international waters.
Beijing views such actions as provocative and maintains that the island of Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.
On Sunday, its military said it was monitoring the two vessels' progress, maintaining a high alert, and was ready to defeat any provocation, Reuters news agency reports.
BBC
It is the first such operation to take place since tensions between Taiwan and China increased following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan earlier this month.
China reacted by holding large-scale military drills in the area.
The US and other Western navies have routinely sailed through the strait in recent years.
Washington says the two guided-missile cruisers - the USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville - are demonstrating freedom of navigation through international waters.
Beijing views such actions as provocative and maintains that the island of Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.
On Sunday, its military said it was monitoring the two vessels' progress, maintaining a high alert, and was ready to defeat any provocation, Reuters news agency reports.
BBC
Robert
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USN letting Beijing know it is on the case.
daytrader
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Biden again says US would defend Taiwan if China attacks
US President Joe Biden has again said the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China.
Asked in a CBS interview if US troops would defend the island, Mr Biden said: "Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack".
The remarks prompted the White House to clarify that US policy had not changed.
Washington has long maintained a stance of "strategic ambiguity" - it does not commit to defending Taiwan, but also does not rule out the option.
Taiwan is a self-ruled island off the coast of eastern China that Beijing claims as part of its territory.
Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue.
On the one hand it adheres to the One China policy, a cornerstone of its relationship with Beijing. Under this policy, the US acknowledges that there is only one Chinese government, and has formal ties with Beijing rather than Taiwan.
But it also maintains close relations with Taiwan and sells arms to it under the Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the US must provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Taiwan responded to Mr Biden's remarks on Monday by welcoming the "US government's rock-solid security commitment to Taiwan". Taipei said it would continue to deepen its "close security partnership" with Washington.
Only earlier this this month, the US agreed to sell $1.1bn (£955m) in weaponry and missile defence to Taiwan, provoking anger from China.
Beijing is yet to respond to Mr Biden's latest remarks, broadcast in a CBS 60 Minutes interview on Sunday. But China has previously condemned such comments from Mr Biden pledging US military action.
"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory... The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair that brooks no foreign interference," a foreign ministry spokesman had said in May.
That was in response to Mr Biden's comments in Tokyo in May when he said "Yes" when asked if the US would defend Taiwan. The White House had quickly issued a follow up saying there was no departure from US' long-standing policy.
This time too the White House issued a statement, downplaying the president's comments: "The President has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn't changed. That remains true."
It's the third time since October last year that President Biden has gone further than the official stance.
But in the interview on Sunday, Mr Biden reiterated that the US was not encouraging Taiwan independence.
"There's a One China policy and Taiwan makes their own judgements on their independence. We are not moving, not encouraging their being independent - that's their decision," he said.
Tensions between US and China have ramped up after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to the island in August - a trip Mr Biden had said was "not a good idea".
Beijing responded with a five-day military blockade around Taiwan. The US claims China shot missiles over the island, but Beijing did not confirm this. Taiwan said the missiles China fired flew high into the atmosphere and posed no threat.
Elsewhere in the pre-recorded interview, Mr Biden also warned Russia not to use chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.
BBC
US President Joe Biden has again said the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China.
Asked in a CBS interview if US troops would defend the island, Mr Biden said: "Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack".
The remarks prompted the White House to clarify that US policy had not changed.
Washington has long maintained a stance of "strategic ambiguity" - it does not commit to defending Taiwan, but also does not rule out the option.
Taiwan is a self-ruled island off the coast of eastern China that Beijing claims as part of its territory.
Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue.
On the one hand it adheres to the One China policy, a cornerstone of its relationship with Beijing. Under this policy, the US acknowledges that there is only one Chinese government, and has formal ties with Beijing rather than Taiwan.
But it also maintains close relations with Taiwan and sells arms to it under the Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the US must provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Taiwan responded to Mr Biden's remarks on Monday by welcoming the "US government's rock-solid security commitment to Taiwan". Taipei said it would continue to deepen its "close security partnership" with Washington.
Only earlier this this month, the US agreed to sell $1.1bn (£955m) in weaponry and missile defence to Taiwan, provoking anger from China.
Beijing is yet to respond to Mr Biden's latest remarks, broadcast in a CBS 60 Minutes interview on Sunday. But China has previously condemned such comments from Mr Biden pledging US military action.
"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory... The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair that brooks no foreign interference," a foreign ministry spokesman had said in May.
That was in response to Mr Biden's comments in Tokyo in May when he said "Yes" when asked if the US would defend Taiwan. The White House had quickly issued a follow up saying there was no departure from US' long-standing policy.
This time too the White House issued a statement, downplaying the president's comments: "The President has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn't changed. That remains true."
It's the third time since October last year that President Biden has gone further than the official stance.
But in the interview on Sunday, Mr Biden reiterated that the US was not encouraging Taiwan independence.
"There's a One China policy and Taiwan makes their own judgements on their independence. We are not moving, not encouraging their being independent - that's their decision," he said.
Tensions between US and China have ramped up after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to the island in August - a trip Mr Biden had said was "not a good idea".
Beijing responded with a five-day military blockade around Taiwan. The US claims China shot missiles over the island, but Beijing did not confirm this. Taiwan said the missiles China fired flew high into the atmosphere and posed no threat.
Elsewhere in the pre-recorded interview, Mr Biden also warned Russia not to use chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.
BBC
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Former United States president Donald Trump warned that the ongoing war in Ukraine could accidentally lead to World War III and nuclear escalation, during his appearance on New York billionaire John Catsimatidis' 77 WABC radio show on Tuesday.
When asked about matters he is concerned about, Trump said, “more than anything else, I think we can end up in World War III,” Fox News reported.
“All of the horrible things that took place in Ukraine, looks like it's going to happen in China with Taiwan," he added.
Catsimatidis noted that some believe that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump were still the US president.
Read Pakistan would rather 'mediate' between China, US than be 'geopolitical football': FM
The former presidnet responded that he believed President Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan demonstrated “weakness and incompetence” that further encouraged Putin to attack Ukraine.
He added that the price of oil was much lower during his term, arguing that by raising oil prices, the Biden administration's climate agenda has assisted in financing Putin's war.
"You wouldn't have had to talk to Putin, because the numbers would not have allowed him to do what he's done. Because at $100 a barrel, the money he makes is so enormous he can afford to fight a war that should have never started regardless of that, and it would have never started," Trump said.
Trump also noted that he "filled up the national strategic reserves" that have now been depleted domestically and sold to China.
Express Tribune
When asked about matters he is concerned about, Trump said, “more than anything else, I think we can end up in World War III,” Fox News reported.
“All of the horrible things that took place in Ukraine, looks like it's going to happen in China with Taiwan," he added.
Catsimatidis noted that some believe that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump were still the US president.
Read Pakistan would rather 'mediate' between China, US than be 'geopolitical football': FM
The former presidnet responded that he believed President Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan demonstrated “weakness and incompetence” that further encouraged Putin to attack Ukraine.
He added that the price of oil was much lower during his term, arguing that by raising oil prices, the Biden administration's climate agenda has assisted in financing Putin's war.
"You wouldn't have had to talk to Putin, because the numbers would not have allowed him to do what he's done. Because at $100 a barrel, the money he makes is so enormous he can afford to fight a war that should have never started regardless of that, and it would have never started," Trump said.
Trump also noted that he "filled up the national strategic reserves" that have now been depleted domestically and sold to China.
Express Tribune
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BIDEN, XI HOLD 3-HOUR BALI MEETING AHEAD OF G20
US President Joe Biden said he told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday that the United States would enhance its security position in Asia if Beijing is unable to rein in North Korea’s weapons development programmes.
Biden told a news conference after his first face-to-face talks with Xi since taking power that they had blunt talks over a wide array of issues that are contributing to the worst U.S.-Chinese ties in decades.
In a statement after their meeting, Xi called Taiwan the “first red line” that must not be crossed in U.S.-China relations, Chinese state media said.
Biden said he sought to assure Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed, seeking to lower tensions over the self-ruled island. “I do not think there’s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan,” he told reporters.
He said if Beijing is not able to rein in North Korea, the United States would more to further protect U.S. allies in the region.
The two sides had set up a mechanism for more frequent communications and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China to follow-up on discussions, he said.
“I think we understand each other,” Biden said.
Ahead of their talks, the two leaders smiled and shook hands warmly in front of their national flags at a hotel on Indonesia’s Bali island, a day before a Group of 20 (G20) summit set to be fraught with tension over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s just great to see you,” Biden told Xi, as he put an arm around him before a meeting that lasted a little over three hours.
However, Biden brought up a number of difficult topics during the meeting, according to the White House, including raising US objections to China’s “coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan”, Beijing’s “non-market economic practices”, and practices in “Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, and human rights more broadly”.
Biden said beforehand he was committed to keeping lines of communication open on a personal and government level.
“As the leaders of our two nations, we share responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from turning into conflict, and to find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation,” Biden said in remarks in front of reporters.
Neither leader wore a mask to ward off COVID, though members of their delegations did.
TAIWAN TALKS TENSE
Xi said before the meeting the relationship between their two countries was not meeting global expectations.
“Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and China’s internal affair,” Xi said, according to state media.
“Anyone that seeks to split Taiwan from China will be violating the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.”
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own, has long said it would bring Taiwan under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. Democratically ruled Taiwan’s government strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future.
There was some early drama in Bali surrounding Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who scolded Western media over a report that said he had been taken to a local hospital, suffering with a heart condition.
“This is a kind of game that is not new in politics,” Lavrov said. “Western journalists need to be more truthful.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it “the height of fakery” and posted a video of Lavrov sitting outdoors dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and reading documents.
However, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster told Reuters Lavrov had briefly visited a local hospital for a “check-up”, and the Russian was in good health. Indonesian officials declined to comment.
Lavrov is representing Putin at the G20 summit – the first since Russia invaded Ukraine in February – after the Kremlin said Putin was too busy to attend.
ARY
US President Joe Biden said he told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday that the United States would enhance its security position in Asia if Beijing is unable to rein in North Korea’s weapons development programmes.
Biden told a news conference after his first face-to-face talks with Xi since taking power that they had blunt talks over a wide array of issues that are contributing to the worst U.S.-Chinese ties in decades.
In a statement after their meeting, Xi called Taiwan the “first red line” that must not be crossed in U.S.-China relations, Chinese state media said.
Biden said he sought to assure Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed, seeking to lower tensions over the self-ruled island. “I do not think there’s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan,” he told reporters.
He said if Beijing is not able to rein in North Korea, the United States would more to further protect U.S. allies in the region.
The two sides had set up a mechanism for more frequent communications and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China to follow-up on discussions, he said.
“I think we understand each other,” Biden said.
Ahead of their talks, the two leaders smiled and shook hands warmly in front of their national flags at a hotel on Indonesia’s Bali island, a day before a Group of 20 (G20) summit set to be fraught with tension over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s just great to see you,” Biden told Xi, as he put an arm around him before a meeting that lasted a little over three hours.
However, Biden brought up a number of difficult topics during the meeting, according to the White House, including raising US objections to China’s “coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan”, Beijing’s “non-market economic practices”, and practices in “Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, and human rights more broadly”.
Biden said beforehand he was committed to keeping lines of communication open on a personal and government level.
“As the leaders of our two nations, we share responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from turning into conflict, and to find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation,” Biden said in remarks in front of reporters.
Neither leader wore a mask to ward off COVID, though members of their delegations did.
TAIWAN TALKS TENSE
Xi said before the meeting the relationship between their two countries was not meeting global expectations.
“Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and China’s internal affair,” Xi said, according to state media.
“Anyone that seeks to split Taiwan from China will be violating the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.”
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own, has long said it would bring Taiwan under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. Democratically ruled Taiwan’s government strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future.
There was some early drama in Bali surrounding Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who scolded Western media over a report that said he had been taken to a local hospital, suffering with a heart condition.
“This is a kind of game that is not new in politics,” Lavrov said. “Western journalists need to be more truthful.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it “the height of fakery” and posted a video of Lavrov sitting outdoors dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and reading documents.
However, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster told Reuters Lavrov had briefly visited a local hospital for a “check-up”, and the Russian was in good health. Indonesian officials declined to comment.
Lavrov is representing Putin at the G20 summit – the first since Russia invaded Ukraine in February – after the Kremlin said Putin was too busy to attend.
ARY
China Sends 18 Nuclear Aircrafts Into Taiwan's Defence Zone In 24 Hours
China sent a record 18 nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan's air defence zone, Taipei said Tuesday, just days after Beijing banned more Taiwanese imports in the latest sign of deteriorating ties.
Democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day.
Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure since the 2016 election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its stance that the island is part of China.
In a daily update on Tuesday morning Taiwan's defence ministry said 21 aircraft entered the island's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the last 24 hours, including 18 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.
That represents by far the largest daily sortie by H-6 bombers since Taipei first began releasing daily incursion data in September 2020, according to a database maintained by AFP.
The wave came after China slapped fresh import bans on Taiwanese food, beverages, alcohol and fishery products last week, prompting Premier Su Tseng-chang to accuse Beijing of violating international trade rules and "discriminating" against the island.
The H-6 is China's main long distance bomber and is able to carry nuclear payloads.
It is rare for China to send more than five H-6 bombers in one day. But sorties have increased dramatically in recent weeks.
Until recently October 2021 was the month with the largest number of H-6 flights on record at 16.
But last month China sent 21 of the bombers into Taiwan's ADIZ. And the current tally for December stands at 23.
Many nations maintain air defence identification zones (ADIZ), including the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and China.
They are not the same as a country's airspace.
Instead, they encompass a much wider area, in which any foreign aircraft is expected to announce itself to local aviation authorities.
Taiwan's ADIZ is much larger than its airspace. It overlaps with part of China's ADIZ and even includes some of the mainland.
NDTV
China sent a record 18 nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan's air defence zone, Taipei said Tuesday, just days after Beijing banned more Taiwanese imports in the latest sign of deteriorating ties.
Democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day.
Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure since the 2016 election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its stance that the island is part of China.
In a daily update on Tuesday morning Taiwan's defence ministry said 21 aircraft entered the island's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the last 24 hours, including 18 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.
That represents by far the largest daily sortie by H-6 bombers since Taipei first began releasing daily incursion data in September 2020, according to a database maintained by AFP.
The wave came after China slapped fresh import bans on Taiwanese food, beverages, alcohol and fishery products last week, prompting Premier Su Tseng-chang to accuse Beijing of violating international trade rules and "discriminating" against the island.
The H-6 is China's main long distance bomber and is able to carry nuclear payloads.
It is rare for China to send more than five H-6 bombers in one day. But sorties have increased dramatically in recent weeks.
Until recently October 2021 was the month with the largest number of H-6 flights on record at 16.
But last month China sent 21 of the bombers into Taiwan's ADIZ. And the current tally for December stands at 23.
Many nations maintain air defence identification zones (ADIZ), including the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and China.
They are not the same as a country's airspace.
Instead, they encompass a much wider area, in which any foreign aircraft is expected to announce itself to local aviation authorities.
Taiwan's ADIZ is much larger than its airspace. It overlaps with part of China's ADIZ and even includes some of the mainland.
NDTV
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Tsai-McCarthy meeting: Is Taiwan in danger of being loved to death?
China has launched military drills in response to a much-anticipated meeting between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
They met in California on Wednesday, a week after President Tsai was feted in New York with a leadership award.
Ms Tsai hailed their "strong and unique partnership", and Mr McCarthy said that arms sales to Taiwan must continue.
Beijing, in turn, has vowed a "resolute response" and sent warships into the waters around the self-governed island.
Taiwan, it appears, is caught in the middle of a dangerous love triangle.
The timing of Ms Tsai's visit is hardly a coincidence. In the US there is deep and growing hostility to China. And this is driving ever more open displays of support for Taiwan, with Democrats and Republicans competing to out-do each other.
It's a big reason former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so keen on landing in Taipei last summer, despite the fact that it set off a furious reaction from China. The self-governed island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, is arguably the biggest flashpoint between the US and China.
"I was personally very opposed to the Pelosi visit," says professor William Stanton, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan. "For a high-level politician from the US to make a visit to the island was just poking China without much reward. And the consequences were quite scary."
...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65160872
China has launched military drills in response to a much-anticipated meeting between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
They met in California on Wednesday, a week after President Tsai was feted in New York with a leadership award.
Ms Tsai hailed their "strong and unique partnership", and Mr McCarthy said that arms sales to Taiwan must continue.
Beijing, in turn, has vowed a "resolute response" and sent warships into the waters around the self-governed island.
Taiwan, it appears, is caught in the middle of a dangerous love triangle.
The timing of Ms Tsai's visit is hardly a coincidence. In the US there is deep and growing hostility to China. And this is driving ever more open displays of support for Taiwan, with Democrats and Republicans competing to out-do each other.
It's a big reason former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so keen on landing in Taipei last summer, despite the fact that it set off a furious reaction from China. The self-governed island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, is arguably the biggest flashpoint between the US and China.
"I was personally very opposed to the Pelosi visit," says professor William Stanton, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan. "For a high-level politician from the US to make a visit to the island was just poking China without much reward. And the consequences were quite scary."
...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65160872
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China sanctions US figures after Taiwan president’s talks with House speaker
US thinktank and Reagan Foundation targeted, as well as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US, in row over President Tsai Ing-wen’s trip
China has imposed sanctions on US figures linked to the Taiwan president’s visit to the US this week, as well as further restrictions on Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States.
The sanctions targeted the Ronald Reagan library which hosted the meeting between Tsai and US House speak Kevin McCarthy, and the Hudson Institute which hosted Tsai in New York and presented her with an award.
Four US nationals were listed, including the chair and director of the Hudson Institute, and the current head and former director of the Reagan Foundation.
A second round of sanctions was also unveiled against Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US.
The moves come after Tsai met the US House speaker during a stopover in LA.
The sanctions prohibit the targets and their family members from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, state media reported on Friday. They also prohibit investors and firms related to the targets from cooperating with mainland organisations and individuals.
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...dor-after-presidents-talks-with-house-speaker
US thinktank and Reagan Foundation targeted, as well as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US, in row over President Tsai Ing-wen’s trip
China has imposed sanctions on US figures linked to the Taiwan president’s visit to the US this week, as well as further restrictions on Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States.
The sanctions targeted the Ronald Reagan library which hosted the meeting between Tsai and US House speak Kevin McCarthy, and the Hudson Institute which hosted Tsai in New York and presented her with an award.
Four US nationals were listed, including the chair and director of the Hudson Institute, and the current head and former director of the Reagan Foundation.
A second round of sanctions was also unveiled against Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US.
The moves come after Tsai met the US House speaker during a stopover in LA.
The sanctions prohibit the targets and their family members from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, state media reported on Friday. They also prohibit investors and firms related to the targets from cooperating with mainland organisations and individuals.
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...dor-after-presidents-talks-with-house-speaker
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China's military is rehearsing the encirclement of Taiwan during three days of military drills.
Beijing - which views Taiwan as a breakaway province of China - called the operation a "stern warning" to the island's government.
The exercises began hours after President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States.
The Taiwanese Defence Ministry said 71 Chinese military planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.
The line is an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory.
One of the ships fired a round from its deck as it sailed near Pingtan island, China's closest point to Taiwan, Reuters reported.
Chinese state media said the military drills would "simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture".
It added that "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers" had all been deployed by China's military.
Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders.
But China sees the island as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing's control - by force if necessary. China's President Xi Jinping has said "reunification" with Taiwan "must be fulfilled".
Although China often holds drills around Taiwan, the "encirclement" is being seen as a response to Taiwan's President Tsai meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday.
President Tsai said on Saturday that her government would continue working with the US and other democracies as the island faces "continued authoritarian expansionism" from China.
She made the comments in a meeting with a US congressional delegation in Taipei led by House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul.
Mr McCaul said Washington was working to supply weapons to Taiwan, "not for war, but for peace".
BBC
Beijing - which views Taiwan as a breakaway province of China - called the operation a "stern warning" to the island's government.
The exercises began hours after President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States.
The Taiwanese Defence Ministry said 71 Chinese military planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.
The line is an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory.
One of the ships fired a round from its deck as it sailed near Pingtan island, China's closest point to Taiwan, Reuters reported.
Chinese state media said the military drills would "simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture".
It added that "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers" had all been deployed by China's military.
Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders.
But China sees the island as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing's control - by force if necessary. China's President Xi Jinping has said "reunification" with Taiwan "must be fulfilled".
Although China often holds drills around Taiwan, the "encirclement" is being seen as a response to Taiwan's President Tsai meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday.
President Tsai said on Saturday that her government would continue working with the US and other democracies as the island faces "continued authoritarian expansionism" from China.
She made the comments in a meeting with a US congressional delegation in Taipei led by House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul.
Mr McCaul said Washington was working to supply weapons to Taiwan, "not for war, but for peace".
BBC
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China has simulated precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan and its surrounding waters during a second day of military drills.
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to the self-governing island - are a response to Taiwan's president visiting the US last week.
As the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, the US urged China to show restraint.
Taiwan said at least 71 Chinese jets flew around the island on Saturday.
Taiwan also said 45 warplanes either crossed the Taiwan Strait median line - the unofficial dividing line between Taiwanese and Chinese territory - or flew into the south-western part of Taiwan's air defence identification zone.
Nine Chinese ships were also spotted. The operation, dubbed "Joint Sword" by Beijing, will continue until Monday. Taiwanese officials have been enraged by the operation.
On Saturday defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using President Tsai's US visit as an "excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region".
On day one of the drills, one of China's ships fired a round as it sailed near Pingtan island, China's closest point to Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, which runs the Coast Guard, issued video footage showing one of its ships shadowing a Chinese warship, though did not provide a location.
In the footage a sailor can be heard telling the Chinese ship through a radio: "You are seriously harming regional peace, stability and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures."
Other footage showed a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, accompanying the Coast Guard ship in what the Coast Guard officer calls a "standoff" with the Chinese vessel.
While the Chinese exercises ended by sundown on Saturday evening, defence officials in Taipei said fighter jet sorties started again early on Sunday morning.
US state department officials have urged China not to President Tsai's US visit, and have called for "restraint and no change to the status quo".
A state department spokesperson said the US was "monitoring Beijing's actions closely" and insisted the US had "sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security commitments".
The US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but it is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
US President Joe Biden has said on several occasion that the US would intervene if China attacked the island, but US messaging has been murky.
At Wednesday's meeting in California, Ms Tsai thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for America's "unwavering support", saying it helped "reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone".
Mr McCarthy had originally planned to go to Taiwan himself, but opted instead to hold the meeting in California to avoid inflaming tensions with China.
Chinese state media said the military drills, which are due to run until Monday, would "simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture".
It added that "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers" had all been deployed by China's military.
But in Taiwan's capital Taipei, residents seemed unperturbed by China's latest manoeuvres.
"I think many Taiwanese have gotten used to it by now, the feeling is like, here we go again!" Jim Tsai said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Michael Chuang said: "They [China] seems to like doing it, circling Taiwan like it's theirs. I am used to it now.
"If they invade we can't escape anyway. We'll see what the future holds and go from there."
Taiwan's status has been ambiguous since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War turned in favour of the Chinese Communist Party and the country's old ruling government retreated to the island.
Taiwan has since considered itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders. China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing's control - by force if necessary.
China's President Xi Jinping has said "reunification" with Taiwan "must be fulfilled".
BBC
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to the self-governing island - are a response to Taiwan's president visiting the US last week.
As the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, the US urged China to show restraint.
Taiwan said at least 71 Chinese jets flew around the island on Saturday.
Taiwan also said 45 warplanes either crossed the Taiwan Strait median line - the unofficial dividing line between Taiwanese and Chinese territory - or flew into the south-western part of Taiwan's air defence identification zone.
Nine Chinese ships were also spotted. The operation, dubbed "Joint Sword" by Beijing, will continue until Monday. Taiwanese officials have been enraged by the operation.
On Saturday defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using President Tsai's US visit as an "excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region".
On day one of the drills, one of China's ships fired a round as it sailed near Pingtan island, China's closest point to Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, which runs the Coast Guard, issued video footage showing one of its ships shadowing a Chinese warship, though did not provide a location.
In the footage a sailor can be heard telling the Chinese ship through a radio: "You are seriously harming regional peace, stability and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures."
Other footage showed a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, accompanying the Coast Guard ship in what the Coast Guard officer calls a "standoff" with the Chinese vessel.
While the Chinese exercises ended by sundown on Saturday evening, defence officials in Taipei said fighter jet sorties started again early on Sunday morning.
US state department officials have urged China not to President Tsai's US visit, and have called for "restraint and no change to the status quo".
A state department spokesperson said the US was "monitoring Beijing's actions closely" and insisted the US had "sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security commitments".
The US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but it is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
US President Joe Biden has said on several occasion that the US would intervene if China attacked the island, but US messaging has been murky.
At Wednesday's meeting in California, Ms Tsai thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for America's "unwavering support", saying it helped "reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone".
Mr McCarthy had originally planned to go to Taiwan himself, but opted instead to hold the meeting in California to avoid inflaming tensions with China.
Chinese state media said the military drills, which are due to run until Monday, would "simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture".
It added that "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers" had all been deployed by China's military.
But in Taiwan's capital Taipei, residents seemed unperturbed by China's latest manoeuvres.
"I think many Taiwanese have gotten used to it by now, the feeling is like, here we go again!" Jim Tsai said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Michael Chuang said: "They [China] seems to like doing it, circling Taiwan like it's theirs. I am used to it now.
"If they invade we can't escape anyway. We'll see what the future holds and go from there."
Taiwan's status has been ambiguous since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War turned in favour of the Chinese Communist Party and the country's old ruling government retreated to the island.
Taiwan has since considered itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders. China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing's control - by force if necessary.
China's President Xi Jinping has said "reunification" with Taiwan "must be fulfilled".
BBC
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Taiwan president defends US trip as island set to begin its own military drills
Tsai Ing-wen said it was critical for democracies to stand up to ‘continued authoritarian expansionism’
Taiwan president defends US trip as island set to begin its own military drills
Tsai Ing-wen said it was critical for democracies to stand up to ‘continued authoritarian expansionism’
China-Taiwan tensions explained in 30 seconds
Helen Davidson in Taipei
@heldavidson
Wed 12 Apr 2023 06.25 BST
Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen has said her trip to the US showed the island’s commitment to defend democracy, as the Taiwanese military is expected to begin its own drills.
Tsai’s US visit, during which she met with the House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, angered China’s government which ordered several days of military drills directed at Taiwan.
On Wednesday, Tsai said it was critical for democracies to unite while faced with “continued authoritarian expansionism”.
“Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners,” she told visiting Canadian lawmakers at her office in Taipei.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has continued military activity around Taiwan, despite formally announcing an end to the military drills which ran from Saturday to Monday. Taiwan’s defence ministry said 35 PLA aircraft and eight vessels had been detected around Taiwan on Tuesday.
The drills prompted cross-party condemnation from Taiwan’s parliament, accusing China of undermining the status quo and causing a “severe threat to regional peace and security.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-island-set-to-begin-its-own-military-drills
Tsai Ing-wen said it was critical for democracies to stand up to ‘continued authoritarian expansionism’
Taiwan president defends US trip as island set to begin its own military drills
Tsai Ing-wen said it was critical for democracies to stand up to ‘continued authoritarian expansionism’
China-Taiwan tensions explained in 30 seconds
Helen Davidson in Taipei
@heldavidson
Wed 12 Apr 2023 06.25 BST
Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen has said her trip to the US showed the island’s commitment to defend democracy, as the Taiwanese military is expected to begin its own drills.
Tsai’s US visit, during which she met with the House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, angered China’s government which ordered several days of military drills directed at Taiwan.
On Wednesday, Tsai said it was critical for democracies to unite while faced with “continued authoritarian expansionism”.
“Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners,” she told visiting Canadian lawmakers at her office in Taipei.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has continued military activity around Taiwan, despite formally announcing an end to the military drills which ran from Saturday to Monday. Taiwan’s defence ministry said 35 PLA aircraft and eight vessels had been detected around Taiwan on Tuesday.
The drills prompted cross-party condemnation from Taiwan’s parliament, accusing China of undermining the status quo and causing a “severe threat to regional peace and security.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-island-set-to-begin-its-own-military-drills
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Antony Blinken in China: all eyes on whether US secretary of state will meet Xi Jinping
A meeting is yet to be confirmed, a day after ‘candid’ talks with China’s foreign minister, who said ties were at their lowest point since diplomatic relations began
Antony Blinken was greeted by China’s top diplomat on Monday, and will perhaps meet its president, on the final day of a rare visit aimed at trying to resurrect relations between Washington and Beijing from historic lows.
Neither Blinken nor Wang Yi made any comment to reporters as they greeted each other and sat for their discussion during what is the first visit by a US secretary of state to China in five years.
However, all eyes will be on whether Blinken also meets President Xi Jinping, an engagement that Reuters sources said was expected but yet to be confirmed by the state department.
On Sunday, Blinken held talks lasting more than seven-and-a-half hours – an hour more than expected – with Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang. The US state department called the talks – which were held at an ornate state villa, and included a banquet dinner – “candid, substantive and constructive” although they did not appear to make concrete progress on disputes that include Taiwan, trade, human rights and fentanyl.
Both expressed a desire to stabilise ties despite what one US official called their “profound” differences, and agreed that Qin would visit Washington to continue the conversation, though no date was announced.
However, behind closed doors, Qin told Blinken that relations between the US and China “are at the lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic relations”, according to state-run broadcaster CCTV.
“This does not conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, nor does it meet the common expectations of the international community,” Qin was reported as saying during the talks at the ancient Diaoyutai gardens.
State-run Chinese tabloid Global Times said in an editorial on Monday: “Despite very low expectations for any breakthroughs made during Blinken’s visit to China, there is still hope that both sides can maintain their ‘bottom line’ in the relationship.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...a-visit-meetings-talks-trip-xi-jinping-taiwan
A meeting is yet to be confirmed, a day after ‘candid’ talks with China’s foreign minister, who said ties were at their lowest point since diplomatic relations began
Antony Blinken was greeted by China’s top diplomat on Monday, and will perhaps meet its president, on the final day of a rare visit aimed at trying to resurrect relations between Washington and Beijing from historic lows.
Neither Blinken nor Wang Yi made any comment to reporters as they greeted each other and sat for their discussion during what is the first visit by a US secretary of state to China in five years.
However, all eyes will be on whether Blinken also meets President Xi Jinping, an engagement that Reuters sources said was expected but yet to be confirmed by the state department.
On Sunday, Blinken held talks lasting more than seven-and-a-half hours – an hour more than expected – with Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang. The US state department called the talks – which were held at an ornate state villa, and included a banquet dinner – “candid, substantive and constructive” although they did not appear to make concrete progress on disputes that include Taiwan, trade, human rights and fentanyl.
Both expressed a desire to stabilise ties despite what one US official called their “profound” differences, and agreed that Qin would visit Washington to continue the conversation, though no date was announced.
However, behind closed doors, Qin told Blinken that relations between the US and China “are at the lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic relations”, according to state-run broadcaster CCTV.
“This does not conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, nor does it meet the common expectations of the international community,” Qin was reported as saying during the talks at the ancient Diaoyutai gardens.
State-run Chinese tabloid Global Times said in an editorial on Monday: “Despite very low expectations for any breakthroughs made during Blinken’s visit to China, there is still hope that both sides can maintain their ‘bottom line’ in the relationship.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...a-visit-meetings-talks-trip-xi-jinping-taiwan
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US-China tensions: Biden calls Xi a dictator day after Beijing talks
US President Joe Biden has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator at a fundraiser in California.
His remarks come a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Mr Xi for talks in Beijing, which were aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers.
Mr Xi said some progress had been made in Beijing, while Mr Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks.
China is yet to respond to Mr Biden's comments.
President Biden, at the fundraiser on Tuesday night local time, also said Mr Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions around a Chinese spy balloon that had been blown off course over the US.
"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there," Mr Biden said.
"That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened."
Mr Blinken's visit to Beijing - the first by a top US diplomat in almost five years - restarted high-level communications between the two countries. Both Mr Biden and Mr Xi hailed it as a welcome development. But Mr Blinken made clear that major differences remain between the two countries.
Washington and Beijing have long locked horns over an array of issues including trade, human rights, and Taiwan.
But relations have especially deteriorated in the past year. With the US election looming and tensions with China emerging as a political issue, some Republican senators have attacked the Biden administration for being "soft" on China.
...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65969802
US President Joe Biden has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator at a fundraiser in California.
His remarks come a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Mr Xi for talks in Beijing, which were aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers.
Mr Xi said some progress had been made in Beijing, while Mr Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks.
China is yet to respond to Mr Biden's comments.
President Biden, at the fundraiser on Tuesday night local time, also said Mr Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions around a Chinese spy balloon that had been blown off course over the US.
"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there," Mr Biden said.
"That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened."
Mr Blinken's visit to Beijing - the first by a top US diplomat in almost five years - restarted high-level communications between the two countries. Both Mr Biden and Mr Xi hailed it as a welcome development. But Mr Blinken made clear that major differences remain between the two countries.
Washington and Beijing have long locked horns over an array of issues including trade, human rights, and Taiwan.
But relations have especially deteriorated in the past year. With the US election looming and tensions with China emerging as a political issue, some Republican senators have attacked the Biden administration for being "soft" on China.
...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65969802
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China reportedly rebukes US ambassador after Biden called Xi a ‘dictator’
US president sought to play down the impact of his comments, saying ‘I don’t think it’s had any real consequence’
The Chinese government has reportedly reprimanded the US ambassador to China over comments made by President Joe Biden in which he referred to President Xi Jinping as a “dictator”.
Nicholas Burns received the diplomatic note hours after Biden made comments about Xi at a fundraiser in California, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing three unnamed US officials.
At the fundraiser on Tuesday, Biden said that Xi was unaware of the alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down in US airspace in February, adding: “That’s a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn’t know what happened.”
On Wednesday China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Biden’s “extremely absurd” comments “seriously violated China’s political dignity” and amounted to “political provocation”.
But the US officials who leaked the news of Beijing’s rebuke of Burns noted that Chinese state media did not publicise the diplomatic note, known as a démarche, seemingly to preserve the goodwill created by US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s visit to China.
Biden’s comments came one day after Blinken met Xi in a long-awaited encounter that was aimed at halting the downwards spiral in relations between the US and China. Blinken’s original visit had been planned for February but was cancelled in the wake of the spy balloon incident.
On Thursday Biden sought to play down the impact of his comments. “I don’t think it’s had any real consequence,” he told reporters. “The idea of my choosing and avoiding saying what I think is the facts with regard to the relationship with … China is just not something I am going to change very much.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-ambassador-after-biden-called-xi-a-dictator
US president sought to play down the impact of his comments, saying ‘I don’t think it’s had any real consequence’
The Chinese government has reportedly reprimanded the US ambassador to China over comments made by President Joe Biden in which he referred to President Xi Jinping as a “dictator”.
Nicholas Burns received the diplomatic note hours after Biden made comments about Xi at a fundraiser in California, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing three unnamed US officials.
At the fundraiser on Tuesday, Biden said that Xi was unaware of the alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down in US airspace in February, adding: “That’s a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn’t know what happened.”
On Wednesday China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Biden’s “extremely absurd” comments “seriously violated China’s political dignity” and amounted to “political provocation”.
But the US officials who leaked the news of Beijing’s rebuke of Burns noted that Chinese state media did not publicise the diplomatic note, known as a démarche, seemingly to preserve the goodwill created by US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s visit to China.
Biden’s comments came one day after Blinken met Xi in a long-awaited encounter that was aimed at halting the downwards spiral in relations between the US and China. Blinken’s original visit had been planned for February but was cancelled in the wake of the spy balloon incident.
On Thursday Biden sought to play down the impact of his comments. “I don’t think it’s had any real consequence,” he told reporters. “The idea of my choosing and avoiding saying what I think is the facts with regard to the relationship with … China is just not something I am going to change very much.”
...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-ambassador-after-biden-called-xi-a-dictator
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China has launched military exercises around Taiwan, saying the drills were a “stern warning” to separatist forces on the island state – an angry response that was expected from Beijing following a recent visit by Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai to the United States.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command, which has responsibility for the area around Taiwan, said in a brief statement on Saturday morning that it was carrying out joint naval and air combat readiness patrols around Taiwan.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command, which has responsibility for the area around Taiwan, said in a brief statement on Saturday morning that it was carrying out joint naval and air combat readiness patrols around Taiwan.
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US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says
WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The United States must prepare for possible simultaneous wars with Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program, a congressionally appointed bipartisan panel said on Thursday.
The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation.
"We worry ... there may be ultimate coordination between them in some way, which gets us to this two-war construct," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The findings would upend current U.S. national security strategy calling for winning one conflict while deterring another and require huge defense spending increases with uncertain congressional support.
"We do recognize budget realities, but we also believe the nation must make these investments," the Democratic chair, Madelyn Creedon, a former deputy head of the agency that oversees U.S. nuclear weapons, and the vice chair, Jon Kyl, a retired Republican senator, said in the report's preface.
www.reuters.com
WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The United States must prepare for possible simultaneous wars with Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program, a congressionally appointed bipartisan panel said on Thursday.
The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation.
"We worry ... there may be ultimate coordination between them in some way, which gets us to this two-war construct," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The findings would upend current U.S. national security strategy calling for winning one conflict while deterring another and require huge defense spending increases with uncertain congressional support.
"We do recognize budget realities, but we also believe the nation must make these investments," the Democratic chair, Madelyn Creedon, a former deputy head of the agency that oversees U.S. nuclear weapons, and the vice chair, Jon Kyl, a retired Republican senator, said in the report's preface.
US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says
The United States must prepare for possible simultaneous wars with Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program, a congressionally appointed bipartisan panel said on Thursday.
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The United States has said China is expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons even more quickly than expected.
China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads by May 2023 and was “on track to exceed previous projections”, the Pentagon said in its annual report on China’s military power, which was released on Thursday.
The United States has said China is expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons even more quickly than expected.
China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads by May 2023 and was “on track to exceed previous projections”, the Pentagon said in its annual report (PDF) on China’s military power, which was released on Thursday.
That would still be considerably below the US and Russia’s current deployed nuclear arsenal, however, with Washington having about 1,410 nuclear warheads and Russia 1,550.
China is currently embarking on a mission to develop new weaponry and enhance its military training as part of a major modernisation drive to ensure the country has a “world class” military by 2049.
As well as its nuclear expansion, the report said China was developing a new intercontinental ballistic missile system using conventional arms that would allow Beijing “to threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental United States, Hawaii and Alaska”.
The Pentagon report, which follows the release last week of a congressional evaluation of the US’s strategic defence posture, said the Chinese determination to modernise was partly driven by a belief that the United States “was engaged in a systematic effort to suppress China’s development, prevent Taiwan’s unification with mainland China, and maintain US global hegemony”.
The report noted that China had “amplified diplomatic, political, and military pressure against Taiwan” in 2022, and stepped up “provocative and destabilizing actions” in and around the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing claims the self-ruled democracy as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.
Taiwan has reported almost daily Chinese military flights into its self-declared air defence identifcation zone (ADIZ), as well as increased Chinese naval activity, including by the aircraft carrier Shandong. Land-based military exercises have also taken place on the coast facing Taiwan.
Last month, Beijing defended such activities, saying they were necessary to “combat the arrogance” of alleged separatists in Taipei.
The US report suggested China was also “learning lessons” from Russia’s war in Ukraine, and that the sanctions imposed on Moscow had probably encouraged China to push for improved defence self-sufficiency and financial resilience.
The Pentagon also expressed concern about the Chinese military’s continued “refusal to engage in military-to-military communications with the United States” at a time when it also appeared to be willing to engage in more risky operational activities, noting the increasing number of intercepts by Chinese planes of US aircraft.
Such behaviour “raises the risk of an operational incident or miscalculation spiraling into crisis or conflict,” the report said, stressing that the defence department was determined to reopen lines of communication and “ensure competition does not veer into conflict”.
Li Shangfu, the Chinese defence minister who disappeared from public life in August, had been under US sanctions since 2018.
He had refused to hold meetings with US officials until sanctions were lifted, and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s attempt to hold talks during the high-level Shangri-La Dialogue in June this year, got no further than a handshake.
Source: Al Jazeera
China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads by May 2023 and was “on track to exceed previous projections”, the Pentagon said in its annual report on China’s military power, which was released on Thursday.
The United States has said China is expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons even more quickly than expected.
China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads by May 2023 and was “on track to exceed previous projections”, the Pentagon said in its annual report (PDF) on China’s military power, which was released on Thursday.
That would still be considerably below the US and Russia’s current deployed nuclear arsenal, however, with Washington having about 1,410 nuclear warheads and Russia 1,550.
China is currently embarking on a mission to develop new weaponry and enhance its military training as part of a major modernisation drive to ensure the country has a “world class” military by 2049.
As well as its nuclear expansion, the report said China was developing a new intercontinental ballistic missile system using conventional arms that would allow Beijing “to threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental United States, Hawaii and Alaska”.
The Pentagon report, which follows the release last week of a congressional evaluation of the US’s strategic defence posture, said the Chinese determination to modernise was partly driven by a belief that the United States “was engaged in a systematic effort to suppress China’s development, prevent Taiwan’s unification with mainland China, and maintain US global hegemony”.
The report noted that China had “amplified diplomatic, political, and military pressure against Taiwan” in 2022, and stepped up “provocative and destabilizing actions” in and around the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing claims the self-ruled democracy as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.
Taiwan has reported almost daily Chinese military flights into its self-declared air defence identifcation zone (ADIZ), as well as increased Chinese naval activity, including by the aircraft carrier Shandong. Land-based military exercises have also taken place on the coast facing Taiwan.
Last month, Beijing defended such activities, saying they were necessary to “combat the arrogance” of alleged separatists in Taipei.
The US report suggested China was also “learning lessons” from Russia’s war in Ukraine, and that the sanctions imposed on Moscow had probably encouraged China to push for improved defence self-sufficiency and financial resilience.
The Pentagon also expressed concern about the Chinese military’s continued “refusal to engage in military-to-military communications with the United States” at a time when it also appeared to be willing to engage in more risky operational activities, noting the increasing number of intercepts by Chinese planes of US aircraft.
Such behaviour “raises the risk of an operational incident or miscalculation spiraling into crisis or conflict,” the report said, stressing that the defence department was determined to reopen lines of communication and “ensure competition does not veer into conflict”.
Li Shangfu, the Chinese defence minister who disappeared from public life in August, had been under US sanctions since 2018.
He had refused to hold meetings with US officials until sanctions were lifted, and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s attempt to hold talks during the high-level Shangri-La Dialogue in June this year, got no further than a handshake.
Source: Al Jazeera
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Chinese President Xi Jinping bluntly told President Joe Biden during their recent summit in San Francisco that Beijing will reunify Taiwan with mainland China but that the timing has not yet been decided, according to three current and former U.S. officials.
Xi told Biden in a group meeting attended by a dozen American and Chinese officials that China’s preference is to take Taiwan peacefully, not by force, the officials said.
The Chinese leader also referenced public predictions by U.S. military leaders who say that Xi plans to take Taiwan in 2025 or 2027, telling Biden that they were wrong because he has not set a time frame, according to the two current and one former official briefed on the meeting.
Chinese officials also asked in advance of the summit that Biden make a public statement after the meeting saying that the United States supports China’s goal of peaceful unification with Taiwan and does not support Taiwanese independence, they said. The White House rejected the Chinese request.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council declined to comment.
The revelations provide previously unreported details about a critical meeting between the two leaders that was intended to reduce tensions between their countries.
Xi’s private warning to Biden, while not markedly different from his past public comments on reunifying Taiwan, got the attention of U.S. officials because it was delivered at a time when China’s behavior toward Taiwan is seen as increasingly aggressive and ahead of a potentially pivotal presidential election in the self-governing democratic island next month.
source : NBC News
Xi told Biden in a group meeting attended by a dozen American and Chinese officials that China’s preference is to take Taiwan peacefully, not by force, the officials said.
The Chinese leader also referenced public predictions by U.S. military leaders who say that Xi plans to take Taiwan in 2025 or 2027, telling Biden that they were wrong because he has not set a time frame, according to the two current and one former official briefed on the meeting.
Chinese officials also asked in advance of the summit that Biden make a public statement after the meeting saying that the United States supports China’s goal of peaceful unification with Taiwan and does not support Taiwanese independence, they said. The White House rejected the Chinese request.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council declined to comment.
The revelations provide previously unreported details about a critical meeting between the two leaders that was intended to reduce tensions between their countries.
Xi’s private warning to Biden, while not markedly different from his past public comments on reunifying Taiwan, got the attention of U.S. officials because it was delivered at a time when China’s behavior toward Taiwan is seen as increasingly aggressive and ahead of a potentially pivotal presidential election in the self-governing democratic island next month.
source : NBC News
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China's military lashes out at US after breakthrough talks
Officials had hoped last week's talks, when top US General Charles Brown and his Chinese counterpart, General Liu Zhenli, held a videoconference in the first such event in more than a year, could bring a broader restoration in military ties.
Those talks followed a pact in San Francisco last month between the leaders of both countries to resume such ties, which Beijing had snapped after a visit to self-ruled Taiwan in 2022 by Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the House of Representatives.
The video call yielded "positive and constructive outcomes", Wu said.
But Beijing expected Washington to "take concrete actions on the basis of equality and respect to promote the sound and steady development of China-US military-to-military relationship", he added, with specifics to be announced later.
Manipulating Taiwan
On Taiwan, set to hold a key presidential election on Jan 13, Wu accused its government of deliberately "hyping up" a military threat from China for electoral gain.
He warned the US against interfering in Taiwan affairs, including selling arms to the island democracy.
"We firmly oppose any country having official and military contact with Taiwan in any form. The US is manipulating the Taiwan question in various forms, which is a very dangerous gamble," Wu said.
"We urge the US to stop arming Taiwan under any excuses or by any means," he added.
Taiwan's defence ministry said this week it was not seeing any signs of large-scale Chinese military activity before the elections but was keeping close watch on China.
Wu also blamed the United States for rising tension in the South China Sea, following recent skirmishes between China and the Philippines around the Spratly islands.
The US has backed Manila in its maritime disputes with China amid a broader strengthening of ties under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"The US, out of its selfish calculations, has been conniving at, and emboldening the Philippines, attempting to coerce and threaten China," Wu said.
This week a Philippine military spokesperson rebutted China's accusation that his country was provoking conflict in the region.
On the domestic front, Wu declined to comment on the removal this week of three executives at leading aerospace defence firms from China's top political advisory body.
"I refer you to the competent national authorities," he said, when asked about the reason behind the removals.
The executives are from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China's main space program contractor and builder of missile systems; Norinco, a major Chinese defence contractor, and China's largest missile maker, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
An anti-corruption purge in the top ranks of the People's Liberation Army has implicated former defence minister Li Shangfu, who faces investigation for corrupt military procurement, Reuters has previously reported.
The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force has also been in.
Source : Reuters
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a New Year’s address that China would “surely be reunified” with the self-ruled territory of Taiwan, renewing Beijing’s threat to militarily take over the island but setting no timetable for gaining control.
Xi’s remarks came just ahead of Taiwan’s January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections that China has described as a choice between war and peace.
William Lai, who currently serves as vice president from the ruling Democratic People's Party, is the presidential front-runner, but China considers him a "separatist" and has accused him and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on the island.
Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island as Chinese territory and has long coveted Taiwan’s technology-heavy economy even as the island governs itself. China has regularly sent fighter jets on flights in airspace close to the island and warships near Taiwanese waters.
Under its “one-China” policy, the United States recognizes that China claims Taiwan as its own but has continued to ship weapons to Taiwan. The U.S. describes its policy as “strategic ambiguity,” although President Joe Biden has periodically said the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. White House officials later have said there is no change in U.S. policy.
Xi’s New Year’s remarks were open to interpretation as to Beijing’s intentions.
"China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose," Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
On Saturday, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, called Lai a "destroyer of peace" following a televised debate earlier that day in which Lai defended Taiwan's right to rule itself as a democracy.
Chen said Lai's remarks at the debate were "full of confrontational thinking," adding that the vice president is "the instigator of a potential dangerous war in the Taiwan Strait."
Lai had said during the debate that Taiwan is not subordinate to China and that he was open to talks with Beijing "as long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."
Lai does not describe himself as seeking independence from Beijing because he already considers Taiwan an independent country.
Lai's election rivals include Hou Yu-ih from the China-friendly Kuomintang party, and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People's Party.
Source: VOA
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Xi’s remarks came just ahead of Taiwan’s January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections that China has described as a choice between war and peace.
William Lai, who currently serves as vice president from the ruling Democratic People's Party, is the presidential front-runner, but China considers him a "separatist" and has accused him and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on the island.
Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island as Chinese territory and has long coveted Taiwan’s technology-heavy economy even as the island governs itself. China has regularly sent fighter jets on flights in airspace close to the island and warships near Taiwanese waters.
Under its “one-China” policy, the United States recognizes that China claims Taiwan as its own but has continued to ship weapons to Taiwan. The U.S. describes its policy as “strategic ambiguity,” although President Joe Biden has periodically said the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. White House officials later have said there is no change in U.S. policy.
Xi’s New Year’s remarks were open to interpretation as to Beijing’s intentions.
"China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose," Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
On Saturday, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, called Lai a "destroyer of peace" following a televised debate earlier that day in which Lai defended Taiwan's right to rule itself as a democracy.
Chen said Lai's remarks at the debate were "full of confrontational thinking," adding that the vice president is "the instigator of a potential dangerous war in the Taiwan Strait."
Lai had said during the debate that Taiwan is not subordinate to China and that he was open to talks with Beijing "as long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."
Lai does not describe himself as seeking independence from Beijing because he already considers Taiwan an independent country.
Lai's election rivals include Hou Yu-ih from the China-friendly Kuomintang party, and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People's Party.
Source: VOA
Xi: China Will ‘Surely Be Reunified’ With Taiwan
Chinese leader’s remarks come just ahead of Taiwan’s January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections that Beijing has described as a choice between war and peace
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Taiwan Detects Four Chinese Balloons Ahead Of Election
Taipei, Jan 03, 2024 -Four Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with three flying directly above the island, Taipei's defence ministry said Wednesday.
A graphic released by the ministry showed three balloons headed northeast above Taiwan after appearing "southwest of Ching-Chuan-Kang", home to a military airbase in the western city of Taichung.
The lowest altitude measured for one of them was 12,000 feet (3,658 metres).
Tuesday's balloon incidents came less than two weeks before the self-ruled island will hold a pivotal election and was the second consecutive day such objects were detected above Taiwan.
ministry began reporting them for the first time in December, publicly identifying six incidents.
It said Wednesday it was "closely monitoring and will take appropriate measures" on the balloons, depending on the "nature, altitude and possible hazards of the targets".
Conflict expert Ou Sifu of Taiwan's Institute of National Defense and Security Research said the balloons are "for military coercion and psychological warfare".
"The presidential election is coming and balloons are a kind of military intimidating tool," he told AFP, adding that China wished to influence more "pro-Beijing votes".
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has in recent years ramped up military and political pressures against the government of President Tsai Ing-wen.
It has sent in unprecedented numbers of warplanes and naval vessels around the island, dubbed by conflict experts as "grey zone" tactics that serve to intimidate Taiwan's military.
Beijing has also refused to engage with Tsai during her tenure, as she does not acknowledge China's claim on Taiwan.
Her deputy Lai Ching-te -- a self-proclaimed "pragmatic worker for Taiwan's independence" -- is the current frontrunner for the January 13 election.
Source : AFP
Taipei, Jan 03, 2024 -Four Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with three flying directly above the island, Taipei's defence ministry said Wednesday.
A graphic released by the ministry showed three balloons headed northeast above Taiwan after appearing "southwest of Ching-Chuan-Kang", home to a military airbase in the western city of Taichung.
The lowest altitude measured for one of them was 12,000 feet (3,658 metres).
Tuesday's balloon incidents came less than two weeks before the self-ruled island will hold a pivotal election and was the second consecutive day such objects were detected above Taiwan.
ministry began reporting them for the first time in December, publicly identifying six incidents.
It said Wednesday it was "closely monitoring and will take appropriate measures" on the balloons, depending on the "nature, altitude and possible hazards of the targets".
Conflict expert Ou Sifu of Taiwan's Institute of National Defense and Security Research said the balloons are "for military coercion and psychological warfare".
"The presidential election is coming and balloons are a kind of military intimidating tool," he told AFP, adding that China wished to influence more "pro-Beijing votes".
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has in recent years ramped up military and political pressures against the government of President Tsai Ing-wen.
It has sent in unprecedented numbers of warplanes and naval vessels around the island, dubbed by conflict experts as "grey zone" tactics that serve to intimidate Taiwan's military.
Beijing has also refused to engage with Tsai during her tenure, as she does not acknowledge China's claim on Taiwan.
Her deputy Lai Ching-te -- a self-proclaimed "pragmatic worker for Taiwan's independence" -- is the current frontrunner for the January 13 election.
Source : AFP
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This 2024 presidential election could change the world – and it’s not happening in the US
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, shakes hands with supporters during an election campaign on January 04, 2024 in New Taipei City, TaiwanTaiwan's leading opposition presidential hopeful, Hou Yu-ih, emphasises peace with Beijing, and pledges a "middle way" that defends Taiwan's democratic system while working for dialogue with Beijing under the "One China" notion. Taiwan will vote in a general election on Jan. 13.
A presidential election in 2024 with profound implications for the wider world certainly sounds familiar. But this one is happening a lot sooner than you might think.
Taiwan, a small and vibrant Asian democracy on the doorstep of a much larger authoritarian neighbor, holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday and the results will reverberate far beyond its borders.
The outcome is being closely watched by China’s Communist leaders who have long claimed Taiwan as part of their territory despite having never controlled it.
The vast majority of people in Taiwan don’t want to be ruled by China, whose strongman leader Xi Jinping has tightened his grip at home as the country becomes more aggressive towards its neighbors.
Pedestrians walk down a shopping street in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Taiwan's consumer prices rose more than economists expected in November. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty
As election nears in Taiwan, many young voters say China isn’t their biggest concern
China is openly opposed to Taiwan’s current ruling party and has framed the election as a choice between “war and peace, prosperity and decline.” Xi delivered a fresh warning to Taiwan in a New Year’s Eve speech, declaring: “The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability.”
Taiwan also remains the biggest source of tension between China and the US, the island’s main international backer and arms supplier, and relations between the world’s two superpowers have been rocky for years.
How China responds to the choices made by Taiwan’s voters this weekend will test whether Beijing and Washington can manage tensions, or move toward further confrontation – and even conflict.
Source : CNN
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The candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions autonomy from China, has won Taiwan's presidential election.
Lai Ching-te, who is the current vice president, is set to replace Tsai Ing-wen, who has served the limit of two terms.
With 95% of polling stations declaring, Mr Lai appeared to have an unassailable lead.
It is the first time a party has secured a third term under Taiwan's current electoral system.
The election was also contested by Hou Yu-ih from the Nationalist, or Kuomintang, party, which is in favour of closer ties with China; and Ko Wen-je from the smaller Taiwan People's Party, which has engaged less in the China question and framed its campaign around domestic issues.
Mr Hou has conceded defeat in the contest and has congratulated Mr Lai.
Voters cast ballots on Saturday after a campaign overshadowed by tensions with China, which claims the territory as its own.
Beijing has been ramping up military pressure on Taipei and describes the contest as a choice between war and peace.
A victory for Mr Lai will likely irk Beijing, as the DPP does not acknowledge the "one China principle" in which territories like Taiwan and Hong Kong are deemed part of greater China.
The DPP is in favour of maintaining the status quo, in which Taiwan is self-governed.
Speaking to reporters in the southern city of Tainan before voting, Mr Lai earlier encouraged people to cast their ballots.
"Every vote is valued, as this is Taiwan's hard-earned democracy," he said in brief remarks.
In the run-up to the election, China repeatedly denounced Mr Lai as a dangerous separatist and rebuffed his repeated calls for talks.
Mr Lai has made explicitly pro-independence statements in the past, which is why he is deemed troublesome by China.
Source: Sky News
news.sky.com
Lai Ching-te, who is the current vice president, is set to replace Tsai Ing-wen, who has served the limit of two terms.
With 95% of polling stations declaring, Mr Lai appeared to have an unassailable lead.
It is the first time a party has secured a third term under Taiwan's current electoral system.
The election was also contested by Hou Yu-ih from the Nationalist, or Kuomintang, party, which is in favour of closer ties with China; and Ko Wen-je from the smaller Taiwan People's Party, which has engaged less in the China question and framed its campaign around domestic issues.
Mr Hou has conceded defeat in the contest and has congratulated Mr Lai.
Voters cast ballots on Saturday after a campaign overshadowed by tensions with China, which claims the territory as its own.
Beijing has been ramping up military pressure on Taipei and describes the contest as a choice between war and peace.
A victory for Mr Lai will likely irk Beijing, as the DPP does not acknowledge the "one China principle" in which territories like Taiwan and Hong Kong are deemed part of greater China.
The DPP is in favour of maintaining the status quo, in which Taiwan is self-governed.
Speaking to reporters in the southern city of Tainan before voting, Mr Lai earlier encouraged people to cast their ballots.
"Every vote is valued, as this is Taiwan's hard-earned democracy," he said in brief remarks.
In the run-up to the election, China repeatedly denounced Mr Lai as a dangerous separatist and rebuffed his repeated calls for talks.
Mr Lai has made explicitly pro-independence statements in the past, which is why he is deemed troublesome by China.
Source: Sky News
Taiwan election: Candidate who champions autonomy from China wins contest
In the run-up to the election, China repeatedly denounced Mr Lai as a dangerous separatist and rebuffed his repeated calls for talks.
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'Stop threatening Taiwan', its new president William Lai tells China
Taiwan's newly inaugurated president William Lai has called on China stop threatening the island and accept the existence of its democracy.
He urged Beijing to replace confrontation with dialogue, shortly after being sworn in on Monday.
He also said Taiwan would never back down in the face of intimidation from China, which has long claimed the island as its own.
Mr Lai is loathed by China which sees him as a "secessionist".
It has also ramped up pressure on Taiwan in recent years.
Military incursions by China around the island's waters and airspace have become a routine affair in the past few years, triggering fears of conflict. In his speech, Mr Lai called this the "greatest strategic challenge to global peace and stability".
But the 64-year-old also stuck closely to the formula used by his predecessor president Tsai Ing-wen, whose legacy will be defined by her cautious but steady handling of Beijing.
Mr Lai, a doctor turned politician, won a three-way presidential race in January, securing an unprecedented third term for his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). He had served as Ms Tsai's vice-president since 2020, and before that as her premier. In his younger days, he was known to be a more radical politician who openly called for Taiwanese independence, which has not escaped Beijing. It labelled him a "troublemaker" ahead of the polls, and Chinese state media even suggested he should be prosecuted for secession.
The Chinese government is yet to issue a statement on Mr Lai's inauguration. However, the Chinese embassy in the UK held a press briefing over the weekend, asking the UK government to not endorse it. And earlier last week, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office warned that the island's new leader "must seriously" consider the question of whether he wants peaceful development or confrontation.
And just as Mr Lai was being sworn in, China's Commerce Ministry announced sanctions against several US companies "involved in arms sales to Taiwan".
But on Monday, Mr Lai struck a far more conciliatory note. He reiterated he would not do anything to change the status quo - an ambiguous diplomatic status, which doesn't recognise Taiwan as a country despite its constitution and sovereign government. China insists on this and accuses major Taiwan allies such as the US of altering this delicate agreement by supporting the island.
Vowing peace and stability, Mr Lai also said he would like to see a re-opening of exchanges across the Taiwan straits including Chinese tourist groups coming to Taiwan. But he said people on the island must not be under any illusion about the threat from China and that Taiwan must further strengthen its defences.
This too was a continuation of Tsai's policy. Taiwan's former president believed that strengthening defence and earning the support of key allies such as the US and Japan was key to deterring China's plans of invasion. Her biggest critics say this military investment risks provoking China, making Taiwan even more vulnerable.
Nevertheless, yearly defence spending increased up to about $20bn (£16bn) under Ms Tsai, and Mr Lai has pledged even more funds. Taiwan has purchased new battle tanks, upgraded its fleet of F-16 fighter jets and bought new ones, and has built and launched a fleet of new missile ships to patrol the 100-mile Taiwan strait. Last September came the completion of what Ms Tsai considers the crowning achievement of her military program: Taiwan's first indigenously developed submarine.
Despite cleaving tightly to his predecessor's message, Mr Lai's speech differed on one subtle note, according to political scientist Sung Wen-ti.
Speaking in Mandarin, Mr Lai said "China needs to recognise the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan]." But rather than use the term Ms Tsai and others usually use for China - a reference to Beijing or the Chinese government - Mr Lai simply called it China, which might suggest he thinks of China as a different country, separate to Taiwan.
While this is very subtle signalling, Mr Sung believes it will not be missed by the Chinese who already loathe him.
Taiwan's own allies are watching closely too, to see if his rhetoric is likely to aggravate tensions further. Mr Lai's vice-president Hsiao Bi-Khim, is widely believed to be Ms Tsai's protege and a source of assurance for Washington. The 52-year-old was born in Japan and mostly grew up in the US. She also served as Taiwan's representative to the US for three years.
Mr Lai also faces big challenges at home. Unemployment and cost of living cost the DPP the youth vote in January, and Taiwan's economy is seen to be heavily dependent on its hugely successful semiconductor industry - it supplies more than half the world's chips.
And a divided parliament, where the DPP no longer has a majority, is likely to deny him a honeymoon period. The differences spilled into the spotlight over the weekend when lawmakers were caught brawling in parliament over proposed reforms. The bitter dispute and the protests that followed marred Mr Lai's address.
But how he deals with Beijing will be the biggest question that will determine his presidency, especially as both sides have had no formal communication since 2016.
Lawyer Hsu Chih-ming who attended the inaugurations told BBC Chinese that Taiwan had fared quite well under Ms Tsai but added that there is a need to maintain "good communications" with China.
"Lai said he was a 'practical worker for Taiwan independence'. I hope he wouldn't emphasise this too much and worsen cross-strait relations," he said. "Otherwise all of us wouldn't be able to escape if a war broke out."
'Stop threatening Taiwan', its new president William Lai tells China
He urged Beijing to replace confrontation with dialogue, shortly after being sworn in on Monday.
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China begins military drills around Taiwan as 'punishment' for new leader
China kicked off a two-day large-scale military exercise in the water and airspace around Taiwan on Thursday, emphasizing that it is "a strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence forces’" and "a stern warning" against provocation by external forces.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army will conduct drills in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south, and east of Taiwan as well as in areas near Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The drills, which involve the army, navy, air force, and rocket force of the Eastern theater command, will concentrate on joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets, Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Li Xi said.
Some analysts say the exercise is part of Beijing’s display of anger toward Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te, who took office Monday.
The military exercise is "meant to be a warning to both the Lai administration and Washington that it can and will continue to put the squeeze on Taiwan if Lai does not return to a more moderate tone and approach" to cross-strait relations, Amanda Hsiao, a senior China analyst at International Crisis Group, said.
However, despite the attempt to push the new Taiwanese government to soften its position, Hsiao said Beijing’s forceful response may have the opposite effect.
"Given the Lai administration’s deep distrust of Beijing and the domestic pressures they are currently facing, Taipei may hold even firmer to their cross-strait line," she told VOA in a written response.
In response to the Chinese military’s announcement, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said Beijing’s "irrational provocation" will damage regional peace and stability and that it will take practical actions, including deploying Taiwan’s naval, air, and ground forces, to protect freedom and safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Some Taiwanese military analysts say the priority for Taiwan is to keep strengthening its defense capabilities and enhance Taiwan’s defense budget.
"The Chinese military exercise is part of Beijing’s long-term pressure campaign against Taiwan, so Taipei needs to ensure it has enough defense capabilities to withstand the growing pressure from Beijing and maintain peace in the region," Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told VOA by phone.
China’s large-scale military exercise around Taiwan comes after Beijing criticized Lai for his "downright confession of Taiwan independence" through his inauguration speech Monday.
"The speech fully demonstrated that Lai is ‘a traitor to mainstream public opinion on the island and a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,’" said Chen Binhua, the spokesperson of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, which handles cross-strait relations.
He reiterated that "Taiwan independence is a dead end" and that attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence" through support from external forces will only backfire.
"However, in response to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces to provoke and seek independence, we must counteract and punish them," Chen said during a regular press conference on Tuesday, according to Xinhua.
During his inauguration speech on Monday, Lai urged Beijing to cease political and military intimidation against Taiwan and proposed that both sides could start cross-strait exchange through the resumption of tourism on a reciprocal basis or enrollment of degree students in Taiwanese institutions.
However, he also warned the Taiwanese people of China’s ambition to "annex Taiwan" and reiterated that "the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other."
Hsiao, from the International Crisis Group, said what Lai said in the speech suggests a potential deviation from his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen’s more moderate approach to cross-strait relations.
"He didn’t reaffirm the conciliatory gesture that Tsai offered, that cross-strait relations would be conducted in accordance with the Republic of China’s constitution," she told VOA.
During her inauguration address in 2020, Tsai said Taiwan would handle cross-strait affairs according to the Republic of China’s constitution and the Act Governing Relations between People of Taiwan and "the mainland area," which she said had been the island’s consistent position to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. However, Lai didn’t reaffirm the same position in his inauguration speech on Monday.
In her view, while Tsai maintained some ambiguities in her characterization of cross-strait relations, Lai "appears resistant to doing so." "He wants to state clearly and loudly that China and Taiwan are two separate states [and] his calculation may be that Tsai’s moderate approach didn’t pay off after all," Hsiao added.
Some experts say since Thursday’s military exercise has been called the "Joint Sword 2024A," this suggests that China could conduct more military exercises of the similar scale in the near future. "Since Beijing is extremely disappointed and even furious now, more strong responses will follow," Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science at Bucknell University, told VOA in a written response.
During a speech on Thursday in the Australian capital Canberra, Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka said China’s military exercises around Taiwan are "concerning" but not unexpected. He added that the Chinese military practiced maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait in 2023 that would be key to a potential invasion of the island.
Taiwan military analyst Su said China’s latest military exercise around Taiwan may create backlash for Beijing.
"Thursday’s exercise will only prove that China’s threat to Taiwan is real and it may convince like-minded democracies, especially the United States, to be more engaged in relevant efforts to deter Beijing from continuing such behaviors," he told VOA.
Going forward, Hsiao said the dynamic between Taiwan and China "looks bleak."
"[While] limiting the escalation of tensions is possible, it will require Beijing recognize that its pressures are unlikely to be effective and the Lai administration to see value in signaling a more moderate line," she told VOA.
Additionally, Hsiao said she thinks Washington’s response may also affect cross-strait dynamics since there are no direct channels of communication between Beijing and Taipei.
China begins military drills around Taiwan as 'punishment' for new leader
Analysts say Beijing trying to warn Taiwan
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US, China lock horns in renewed debate over Taiwan’s UN status
The United States and China are embroiled in a renewed debate over a landmark United Nations resolution that ceded Taiwan’s UN seat to China, as part of a growing American pushback against Chinese pressure on the self-governing island.
The latest debate gained steam in April when the Washington-based German Marshall Fund think-tank published a report highlighting so-called “mischaracterisations” by China on Resolution 2758, which was passed by the UN General Assembly on Oct 25, 1971.
The resolution had recognised the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only legitimate representatives of China to the UN”, and expelled the “representatives of Chiang Kai-shek”, who led the Kuomintang government in Taiwan until 1975.
The 53-page, Taipei-funded report argued that while the resolution gave the PRC the exclusive role of representing China in the UN and related organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), it did not go further to address the international legal status of Taiwan.
On May 20, China’s Foreign Ministry disputed the findings of the report, saying that Resolution 2758 reaffirmed the “one China” principle, which is China’s view that there is only one sovereign China, represented by the PRC government.
A ministry spokesman said US claims that the resolution did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan nor preclude its meaningful participation in the UN system were “a lie”.
“They are trying to reopen the closed case that Taiwan is part of China – a matter already settled by the international community once and for all – to deny UNGA Resolution 2758 and the ‘one China’ principle,” he said.
China has cited Resolution 2758 as justification to deny Taiwan participation in the UN system – such as the annual meeting of the WHO’s decision-making body – without Beijing’s approval.
The tussle comes as the independence-leaning Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party government took office on May 20.
China has tightened the pressure on Taiwan in recent years, from conducting stepped-up war games and coast guard patrols to launching anti-dumping probes.
At an event to launch the German Marshall Fund report on April 29, US state department official Mark Lambert said: “We need to collectively push back at China’s mischaracterisation of Resolution 2758 so that countries around the world know that they can maintain or develop robust relationships with Taiwan.”
Mr Lambert, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Taiwan, cited how the South Pacific island nation of Nauru had used Resolution 2758 as part of its justification when it switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in January 2024 as an example of a wrongful conflation of the resolution with the “one China” principle.
Analysts said that both the US’ and China’s interpretations of the resolution have some validity.
Associate professor of political science Huang Chin-Hao said the US – since then President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972 – has recognised the PRC government as the legal government of China, but it has not gone beyond acknowledging Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
On the other hand, Beijing thought it had obtained America’s commitments about its status as the sole government of China and – by extension – that there is only one China that Taiwan is a part of, said Prof Huang, who is from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS.
“Both sides were basically speaking past each other, but they were also willing to look over these kinds of different interpretations at that time, because of the larger goal of achieving normalisation,” said Prof Huang, an expert in Chinese foreign and security policy.
“The clarification that the Americans are now trying to make, I think, is not necessarily trying to change the status quo per se, but to make the point clear to China and the international community that there is a clear distinction between the (US’) ‘one China’ policy and (China’s) ‘one China’ principle.”
The US’ “one China” policy recognises the PRC as the sole legal government of China, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan. China’s “one China” principle unambiguously states that Taiwan is a part of China.
For decades since the establishment of ties in 1979, the US had not openly challenged China’s claim over Taiwan, and kept a low profile when it came to its official ties with the island.
But in recent years, US officials and politicians have made frequent visits to Taiwan with full media coverage. They have also argued for Taiwan to be allowed to participate in multilateral organisations.
Mr Kevin Magee, a fellow at the Australia-China Relations Institute from the University of Technology Sydney who researches cross-Strait ties, believes the issue has resurfaced as a response to the pressure that Beijing is putting on Taipei, as well as the growing competition between the US and China.
“For a long time the US avoided this issue with China because it would just cause friction, but US-China relations are becoming more confrontational, so they can now take this position (of drawing attention to the Chinese interpretation of the resolution),” said Mr Magee, a former Australian diplomat of 34 years who served in Beijing and Taipei.
He noted that while Western countries, from the US to Britain and Australia, have more nuanced “one China” policies that “acknowledge” China’s position on Taiwan, the majority of Global South countries accept Beijing’s “one China” principle.
Professor of practice of international affairs Robert Sutter was more critical of China’s interpretation of the resolution, viewing it as “information warfare” against Taiwan.
“It’s using pressure to influence the UN in this way... This shows remarkable hubris and obviously is not ‘seeking truth from facts’,” said Prof Sutter of George Washington University, referring to a slogan popularised by Mao Zedong on the value of pragmatism over theory.
US, China lock horns in renewed debate over Taiwan’s UN status
The tussle comes as the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party government took office on May 20. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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Taiwan watches Ukraine for lessons on possible war with China
Ukraine’s existential war for its sovereignty from Russia is giving inspiration to Taiwan, an island thousands of miles away, as it hopes to deter its own authoritarian invasion by China.
While their cultures and geography are vastly different, nowhere does Ukraine’s struggle resonate more deeply than on Taiwan’s shores. The Taiwanese people see themselves in the Eastern European nation’s struggle — a comparison made even more stark by the growing alliance between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"The situation in Ukraine has been a wake-up call for a lot of people, the Taiwanese included," Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., told Fox News Digital in Taipei. "I think that we live in this sort of post-World War II, post-Cold War mindset, that somehow that was in the past… There’s sort of this axis of Iran and China and… Russia that is reminiscent of history that we've seen before… what I've been hearing more from the Taiwanese people who we've met with, is a realization or recognition that there's definitely been a bit of a pivot, and they also have to pivot."
It has inspired a shift in both military and social policies in Taiwan, which is faced with an increasingly aggressive China, and even a road map on how to navigate U.S. support. In particular, American political infighting on Ukraine aid has raised existential questions in Taiwan about the durability of U.S. support in a time of long-term conflict.
"The lesson for Taiwan is that we do know that [an] asymmetric defense, that works well for the defense of Taiwan…as well as the the importance of building up a resilience among society to increase the stamina for the war," said Dr. I-Chung Lai, president of the Taiwanese think tank The Prospect Foundation. "The war could be long term rather than just in a short period of time, so the whole society needs to come out to anticipate that"
"Another thing about it is that the international support. We need to gear up right now rather than sometime later, because first of all, we find that Western support and coherence — it’s very easy for the authoritarian state to really try to divide and conquer, so it is important to build up the support early on."
Lai added that there needs to be an emphasis not just on defending Taiwan, but bringing "the cost of war" to China by developing an offensive strategy as well.
Until recently, Taiwan’s military has largely focused on training for an amphibious Chinese invasion, but factors, including the Ukraine war, have prompted talk about shifting to preparations for multiple military situations, known as an asymmetric response.
The importance of preparing their society for war is also a key lesson for Taiwan, not just for their internal unity, but also to prove to allies abroad that their support is meaningful.
Ukraine’s troops took the world by surprise in February 2022 when they defied the odds to hold off Russia’s invasion despite projections that Kyiv could fall within a matter of days.
U.S. lawmakers, who were in Taipei last week to meet with the newly inaugurated government, stressed that the societal component was critical to giving Taiwan a fighting chance in the event of an attack.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., noted that Taiwan’s government has taken steps to show its allies and its people that it is taking matters of defense seriously, including increasing mandatory military service time by more than double.
"There's a lot more work to do, and I think people here will tell you that, and I think people in America will tell you that. But the fact is, basically seeing the steps that the Taiwanese have taken from…increasing their defense budget, making it over 2%, and then… changing their conscription time from four months to a year… They understand that, basically, looking at Ukraine, that it takes more than just armaments. It takes the will to use those armaments," he said.
House Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., said when asked if Taiwan’s residents were ready to defend their island, "They’re getting there."
"I think what's helped strengthen the will of the people of Taiwan is that they've seen what Beijing has done in Hong Kong. They're seeing what they're doing in the [Taiwan Strait] with these military exercises," Barr said.
The English-language outlet Taiwan News reported in April that 77% of young Taiwanese people were willing to fight for their country.
"Our goal is not to think about the invasion or potential conflict, our goal is to ensure there is that deterrence by providing Taiwan what they need to protect themselves and defend themselves should there be a conflict," said Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Indo-Pacific subcommittee.
What has inspired some anxiety in Taiwan, however, is political infighting in the U.S. Congress that did see Ukraine get $61 billion in aid, though Kyiv’s supporters said it came six months too late and at a great cost to its forces.
Both Republicans and Democrats on the trip who spoke with Fox News Digital would not directly admit it was an issue, but Taiwanese policy experts thought differently.
"There are latent concerns about that," Lai said.
He explained that while the U.S. views Taiwan in a "different" way than Ukraine – citing a "standing critical interest" in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry – the island was watching the effects such delays had on Ukrainian weapons stocks closely.
"Whether it’s a good thing or bad thing for Ukraine, is that Ukraine can have multiple sources of weapons and deliveries – not just the United States, but also from the European countries. But we can only have one from the U.S.," Lai said.
Dr. Ming-Shih Shen of the Institute for National Security and Defense Research, another Taiwanese think tank, said, "We can imagine a scenario like Ukraine" but added that it would depend on how long Taiwan could defend itself on its own.
Taiwan watches Ukraine for lessons on possible war with China
Taiwan is taking lessons on both strategy and how to handle its allies from Ukraine as it continues to fight a Russian invasion.
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Trump says Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as ‘it doesn’t give us anything’
Donald Trump has said Taiwan should pay the US for protection from China, calling into question Washington’s support for the island democracy should he win back the White House in November’s presidential election.
In response to Trump’s comments, premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan and the US have good relations despite the lack of formal ties, but added that Taiwan was increasing its capabilities to defend itself. .
In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek on Tuesday, Trump was asked if he would defend Taiwan against China if he wins the US election in November. China’s ruling Communist party claims Taiwan as a province and has vowed to annex it, refusing to rule out the use of military force. The US does not formally recognise Taiwan but is it’s most important security partner.
In response to the question Trump said Taiwan should be paying the US to defend it, that the US was “no different than an insurance company” and that Taiwan “doesn’t give us anything”.
The US sells Taiwan billions of dollars in weapons under legislative obligations to provide it with the means to defend itself. These sales markedly increased under Trump’s presidency.
However, Trump’s comments on Tuesday suggest his support for Taiwan is not guaranteed. Trump noted China’s increased military aggression towards Taiwan, said he, “wouldn’t feel too secure if I was [Taiwan]”, and questioned why the US was acting as Taiwan’s “insurance” when, he claimed, they had taken American chip business.
Without evidence, Trump repeated accusations that Taiwan had taken “almost 100%” of the US’s semiconductor industry.
Taiwan produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced chips, mostly through the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world’s largest producer and a major Apple and Nvidia supplier. TSMC is spending billions building new factories overseas, including $65bn on three plants in the US state of Arizona, though it says most manufacturing will remain in Taiwan. TSMC’s shares were down 2.4% on Wednesday’s close. The broader market ended down 1%.
Responding to Trump on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, told a press briefing that Taiwan was grateful to the US for its support, and that Taiwan was “working hard” to maintain the relationship while also increasing their self-defence capabilities and “as a member of the international community”.
“Taiwan and the US share a common responsibility for the Indo-Pacific region of the Taiwan Strait, and we are willing to do more to defend ourselves and protect our security,” he said.
Cho also said the government hoped and expected that Taiwanese chip manufacturers would keep their R&D in Taiwan.
“R&D staying in Taiwan is the best option, and the government will maintain such an environment and continue to work with the industry,” he said, inviting other foreign companies to set up in Taiwan.
Trump’s comments added to signs that the US approach to China could be hawkish – but potentially unpredictable – should he win in November.
Elsewhere in the interview the former president pledged that he would impose tariffs on China of between 60 and 100%, but that he would back down on banning the China-owned app, TikTok. He also said China’s leader Xi Jinping was “a very good friend of mine” until the pandemic.
Trump’s newly announced running mate, JD Vance, told Fox News on Tuesday the US should be focused on China as its greatest security threat.
“You have to ask yourself, is China going to be more dissuaded by us thumping our chests and acting tough in Europe, or are they going to be more dissuaded by us having the weapons necessary to prevent them from invading Taiwan?” Vance said.
Official US policy towards Taiwan is “strategic ambiguity”, which refuses to state if they would come to its defence in the event of a Chinese attack, however Biden has said on several occasions he would defend Taiwan.
www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump has said Taiwan should pay the US for protection from China, calling into question Washington’s support for the island democracy should he win back the White House in November’s presidential election.
In response to Trump’s comments, premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan and the US have good relations despite the lack of formal ties, but added that Taiwan was increasing its capabilities to defend itself. .
In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek on Tuesday, Trump was asked if he would defend Taiwan against China if he wins the US election in November. China’s ruling Communist party claims Taiwan as a province and has vowed to annex it, refusing to rule out the use of military force. The US does not formally recognise Taiwan but is it’s most important security partner.
In response to the question Trump said Taiwan should be paying the US to defend it, that the US was “no different than an insurance company” and that Taiwan “doesn’t give us anything”.
The US sells Taiwan billions of dollars in weapons under legislative obligations to provide it with the means to defend itself. These sales markedly increased under Trump’s presidency.
However, Trump’s comments on Tuesday suggest his support for Taiwan is not guaranteed. Trump noted China’s increased military aggression towards Taiwan, said he, “wouldn’t feel too secure if I was [Taiwan]”, and questioned why the US was acting as Taiwan’s “insurance” when, he claimed, they had taken American chip business.
Without evidence, Trump repeated accusations that Taiwan had taken “almost 100%” of the US’s semiconductor industry.
Taiwan produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced chips, mostly through the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world’s largest producer and a major Apple and Nvidia supplier. TSMC is spending billions building new factories overseas, including $65bn on three plants in the US state of Arizona, though it says most manufacturing will remain in Taiwan. TSMC’s shares were down 2.4% on Wednesday’s close. The broader market ended down 1%.
Responding to Trump on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, told a press briefing that Taiwan was grateful to the US for its support, and that Taiwan was “working hard” to maintain the relationship while also increasing their self-defence capabilities and “as a member of the international community”.
“Taiwan and the US share a common responsibility for the Indo-Pacific region of the Taiwan Strait, and we are willing to do more to defend ourselves and protect our security,” he said.
Cho also said the government hoped and expected that Taiwanese chip manufacturers would keep their R&D in Taiwan.
“R&D staying in Taiwan is the best option, and the government will maintain such an environment and continue to work with the industry,” he said, inviting other foreign companies to set up in Taiwan.
Trump’s comments added to signs that the US approach to China could be hawkish – but potentially unpredictable – should he win in November.
Elsewhere in the interview the former president pledged that he would impose tariffs on China of between 60 and 100%, but that he would back down on banning the China-owned app, TikTok. He also said China’s leader Xi Jinping was “a very good friend of mine” until the pandemic.
Trump’s newly announced running mate, JD Vance, told Fox News on Tuesday the US should be focused on China as its greatest security threat.
“You have to ask yourself, is China going to be more dissuaded by us thumping our chests and acting tough in Europe, or are they going to be more dissuaded by us having the weapons necessary to prevent them from invading Taiwan?” Vance said.
Official US policy towards Taiwan is “strategic ambiguity”, which refuses to state if they would come to its defence in the event of a Chinese attack, however Biden has said on several occasions he would defend Taiwan.
Trump says Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as ‘it doesn’t give us anything’
Trump’s interview with Bloomberg will call into question Washington’s support for the island democracy should he win back the White House
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Nancy Pelosi in hospital in Luxembourg after suffering injury during trip
Former speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has been taken to hospital in Luxembourg after suffering an injury during an "official engagement".
The 84-year-old's office said she was "currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals" after she "sustained an injury", but did not give any further details.
The AP news agency reported Ms Pelosi tripped and fell while with a congressional delegation in Luxembourg marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during the Second World War.
Ms Pelosi's office said she would be unable to attend the remainder of events on her trip and "looks forward to returning home to the US soon" but added that "she continues to work".
Republican congressman Michael McCaul, who was also on the trip, posted on social media that he was "praying for a speedy recovery", adding: "I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time."
Earlier this week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 82, tripped and fell in the Senate, spraining his wrist and cutting his face.
He is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year.
Ms Pelosi, who was first elected in 1987 and served as speaker twice, stepped down from her leadership post two years ago.
She has remained in Congress after being re-elected in November.
Two years ago, Ms Pelosi's husband Paul was attacked by a man with a hammer at their San Francisco home. The attacker was sentenced in October to 30 years in federal prison.
Nancy Pelosi in hospital in Luxembourg after suffering injury during trip
The 84-year-old former speaker of the US House of Representatives was injured during an official engagement in Luxembourg, with some reports suggesting she was hurt in a fall.
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