Chinese Army warns against foreign meddling in Taiwan — Analysis
Beijing vows to take “effective measures” after the US announced the sale of weapons to Taipei
The Chinese Army has vowed to take “effective measures” to prevent foreign meddling and attempts to establish the independence of Taiwan, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said on Thursday in response to the US supplying weapons systems to Taipei.
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the Taiwan issue concerns China’s fundamental interests and does not tolerate outside interference,” Kefei insisted, adding that China’s army will take “effective measures to resolutely suppress any form of external interference and attempts by separatist forces to achieve independence for Taiwan, and will unwaveringly protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The statement comes after China lodged solemn representations with the US after its announcement on Tuesday of the approval of an estimated $95 million military package to Taiwan – the third of its kind since US President Joe Biden took office – which includes “training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the Patriot system, associated equipment, and logistics support elements,”as well as spare parts and ground support equipment for the missile defense systems.
Kefei declared that “US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three joint US-China communiques, are flagrant interference in China’s internal affairs, and seriously damage China’s sovereignty and security interests,”Additionally, the China-US relationship and military ties are also affected and the Taiwan Strait is in danger.
A warning was issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry to the US, on Thursday. It stated that they will not tolerate US efforts. “strong measures”The House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be visiting Taiwan next week. This would adversely impact the relations.
While the visit has not yet been confirmed by Pelosi’s office, some media outlets believe it will happen after her trip to Japan this weekend.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters that Beijing strongly opposes all forms of official interaction between the United States and Taiwan – which do not formally have any diplomatic relations – and urged Washington to cancel the speaker’s trip, warning that all consequences that arise from this move will “completely be borne by the US side.”
The warning from Beijing comes amid heightened tensions in the Pacific as the US and its regional allies raise fears that China, which sees Taiwan as an inalienable part of its sovereign territory, might take action to reunify Taiwan and mainland China, including “by force.”
After a civil war in Taiwan in 1949, the Republic of China was founded in Taiwan. Although the island is self-governing, it has never been officially declared independent from China. There are 25 million people living there.
In 1979, the US recognised Beijing as China’s only legitimate authority. Washington has unofficial relationships with Taiwan, and it is one its largest arms suppliers. The Taiwan Relations Act requires that the US provide Taiwan with all necessary defense capabilities.
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