China reiterates threat to annex Taiwan by “force”

China reiterated on Wednesday his threat to use military force to attach the autonomous island of Taiwan, amidst the threatening military maneuvers in Beijing that have brought tensions between the two sides to the highest level in recent years.

The lengthy political statement from the Chinese government’s Taiwan Affairs Office and its press office came after nearly a week missile launches and raids into Taiwanese waters and airspace by Chinese warships and warplanes.

These actions disrupted flights and shipments in a crucial region for global supply chains, prompting harsh condemnation from the US and Japan, among other countries.

An English version of the Chinese statement stated that Beijing “will work with the utmost sincerity and will do everything possible to achieve the goalto peaceful reunification“.

“But we will not give up the use of force and we reserve the right to take all necessary measures. This is to protect us external interference and from all separatist activities, “the note added.

“We will always be ready to respond with the use of force or other means necessary for the interference of external forces or the radical action of separatist elements. Our ultimate goal is to secure the prospects for a peaceful reunification of China and to advance this process, “the note reads.

Pelosi’s journey

China claims that its threats were motivated by the visit of the president of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosion the island last week, but Taiwan says these trips are commonplace and that Beijing used it as a mere pretext for harden their position.

As part of its response, Beijing has stated this will suspend the dialogue on a wide range of issues, from maritime security to climate change, with Washington being Taiwan’s main military and political supporter.

Taiwan’s foreign minister warned on Tuesday that Chinese military exercises reflect the ambition to control large areas of the western Pacificwhile Taipei made its own moves to emphasize its readiness to react.

Beijing’s strategy would include control the East and South China Sea through the Taiwan Strait and impose a blockade on stop Washington and its allies from helping to the island in the event of an attack, Joseph Wu said at a press conference in Taipei.

Beijing has expanded the ongoing maneuvers and did not offer an end dateeven if it seems that for the moment they continue.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense and the Eastern Command issued separate statements indicating that the exercises had achieved their goal send a notice supporters of Taiwan’s formal independence and their foreign supporters.

President Tsai Ing-wen and the ruling Democratic Party are “pushing Taiwan in the abyss of disaster and sooner or later they will be etched into the pillar of historical shame, ” Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Tan Kefei said in a comment posted on the department’s website.

Troops participating in the drills have “effectively tested joint combat capabilities,” Eastern Command said on its profile on Weixin, a Twitter-like microblogging network.

“The troops will monitor the changes in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, will continue to carry out military training and preparationsit will organize regular combat readiness patrols in the Taiwan Strait and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, “said spokesman Colonel Shi Yi.

Background

Taiwan was separated from mainland China in the 1949 civil war and its 23 million people they are overwhelmingly opposed to its political unification with China. They prefer to maintain a close economic relationship and the status quo of their de facto independence.

With its exercises, China has moved closer to Taiwan’s borders and may try to establish a new normal in which to reach control access to the door and the island’s airspace.

In addition to launching missiles into the Taiwan Strait, Chinese ships and planes were seen in the nearly week-long drills. crossing the center line of the straitwhich has long been considered a safe zone from open conflict.

The United States, Taipei’s main supporter in the international community, has also been willing to face Chinese threats.

Washington does not maintain a formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan out of deference to Beijing, but is legally obliged to ensure that the island can defend itself and treat all threats against her as matters of grave concern.

Associated Press

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