China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

[webfact]

China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

By Tony Munroe and Yew Lun Tian

 

A Taiwan flag is seen during a Navy drill ahead of the Lunar New Year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China toughened its language towards Taiwan on Thursday, warning after recent stepped up military activities near the island that "independence means war" and that its armed forces were acting in response to provocation and foreign interference.

 

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

China believes that Taiwan's democratically-elected government is moving the island towards a declaration of formal independence, though Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said it is already an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

 

Asked at a monthly news briefing about the air force's recent activities, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

 

"The military activities carried out by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait are necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national sovereignty and security," he said.

 

"They are a solemn response to external interference and provocations by 'Taiwan independence' forces," he added.

 

Wu said a "handful" of people in Taiwan were seeking the island's independence.

 

"We warn those 'Taiwan independence' elements: those who play with fire will burn themselves, and 'Taiwan independence' means war," he added.

 

While China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, it is unusual for Beijing to make such overt, verbal threats of conflict.

 

Asked about the remarks, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said there was no reason that tensions between China and Taiwan "need to lead to anything like confrontation." He also reaffirmed longstanding U.S. military support to Taiwan's self-defense.

 

"We have obligations to assist Taiwan with their self-defense and I think you're going to see that continue," said Kirby, a retired admiral, in the first Pentagon briefing of the Biden administration.

 

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said China should think carefully and not underestimate the island's determination to defend its sovereignty and uphold freedom and democracy.

 

Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported six Chinese air force aircraft, including four J-10 fighter jets, flew into its air defence zone on Thursday, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea.

 

The weekend Chinese incursions coincided with a U.S. carrier battle group entering the disputed South China Sea to promote "freedom of the seas".

 

China routinely describes Taiwan as its most important and sensitive issue in relations with the United States, which under the former Trump administration ramped up support for the island in terms of arms sales and senior officials visiting Taipei.

 

President Joe Biden's government, in office for a week, has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan as being "rock solid."

 

Taiwan has denounced China's threats and efforts at intimidation, and Tsai has vowed to defend the island's freedom and not be coerced.

 

(Reporting by Tony Munroe and Yew Lun Tian, writing and additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; additional reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington, Editing by Himani Sarkar, William Maclean and Richard Pullin)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-29

 

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[Salerno]

You could be forgiven to think they're looking for a fight. Certainly pushing to see where the boundaries lay.

 

Perhaps time for a multinational fleet to do a prolonged freedom of navigation mission in the South China Sea.

 

[WineOh]

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

China believes that Taiwan's democratically-elected government is moving the island towards a declaration of formal independence

 

One can only hope that this one day comes to pass.

 

Let's set the record straight now.. Is Taiwan officially a part of China or not?

If not then surely any attempt to capture it by the Chinese is an act of war in and of itself, and the international community is obliged to take Taiwan's side in any potential conflict that may ensue? ????

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"We warn those 'Taiwan independence' elements: those who play with fire will burn themselves, and 'Taiwan independence' means war," he added.

You've been bleating the same bull for 79 years, since 1949, you know you'll get your butt kicked if you try!

 

 

 

 

[teacherclaire]

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

I don't think that the times of "stop that, or we'll jump in" from Washington has any influence anymore.

 

  IMO, the US has lost its credibility of being THE Superpower. Trump played a big part in that game. 

 

[spiekerjozef]

A copyright war.

[PatOngo]

4 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defense identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

I don't think that the times of "stop that, or we'll jump in" from Washington has any influence anymore.

 

  IMO, the US has lost its credibility of being THE Superpower. Trump played a big part in that game. 

 

Time for them (US) to step up and retain that superpower credibility again now ... Trump is a civilian again, onward and upward, Joe! China needs to be kept in check!

 

 

[spiekerjozef]

5 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

retain that superpower credibility again

Banana superpower republic.

[CharlieH]

Reported post and response removed.

[Suua]

They need to be put in their place.....I look forward to them getting a kicking, as is most of the planet.

And will gladly lend a hand.

[ThailandRyan]

Time to send in the Reaper Drones when China pushes to far, and then for Taiwan to take an Offensive posture and fire a few over the bows of the frigates china sends.

[Salerno]

Or let China know it will shoot down the next fighter that encroaches on it's airspace.

[BKKBike09]

15 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Banana superpower republic.

 

Regrettably that is untrue. PLA war fighting capability has advanced massively in the last two decades, in part through the West's supine attitude to Chinese companies purchasing advanced tech companies in Europe, USA and UK (eg magnetic technology: now incorporated in trial Chinese naval rail gun systems). China's aggressive expansionism in the South China Sea is massively destabilising and it's far too late to do anything about it now, short of military conflict. Their installations on reefs more than 1,000 km from the Chinese mainland have significantly enhanced PLA ability to adopt and maintain an aggressive maritime posture in the whole of the South China Sea and thus over critical international shipping routes. One only has to look at what has been built to understand the resources that they can deploy. While the West is losing itself in self-introspection and flagellation over BLM and transgender toilets, the CCP rubs its hands with glee. There will be no appetite in the USA to engage in a military conflict with China to protect Taiwan.

 

Here's Fiery Cross Reef before and after (2009-2016):

(https://amti.csis.org/fiery-cross-reef/)

 

 

 

[smedly]

Let the Taiwan people decide - simple 

[Tug]

A strong show of force by NATO would be appropriate imo call them at their game 

[Henk Langeweg]

1 hour ago, WineOh said:

 

One can only hope that this one day comes to pass.

 

Let's set the record straight now.. Is Taiwan officially a part of China or not?

If not then surely any attempt to capture it by the Chinese is an act of war in and of itself, and the international community is obliged to take Taiwan's side in any potential conflict that may ensue? ????

It is a part of China, always has been and when Mao did did some clean-up in mainland China the leftover crooks went to Taiwan. Again, Taiwan or Republic of China or whatever they want to call themselfs is an island belonging to mainland China.

[Salerno]

^ Straight from the Politburo.

[Dagfinnur Traustason]

5 hours ago, PatOngo said:

You've been bleating the same bull for 79 years, since 1949, you know you'll get your butt kicked if you try!

 

Not to be the only guy with a calculator, but that would be 72 years. ????

Anyway, China sharpens language??? Yes, that seems to be needed. Especially the understanding skills. Taiwan is not yours! You, understand? Wiat a minute, I will sharpen my language skills.

[smedly]

1 hour ago, teacherclaire said:

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

I don't think that the times of "stop that, or we'll jump in" from Washington has any influence anymore.

 

  IMO, the US has lost its credibility of being THE Superpower. Trump played a big part in that game. 

 

what would you like the US to do - go for it

[itsari]

1 hour ago, teacherclaire said:

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

I don't think that the times of "stop that, or we'll jump in" from Washington has any influence anymore.

 

  IMO, the US has lost its credibility of being THE Superpower. Trump played a big part in that game. 

 

Status quo remains intact . With Biden or Trump in power . 

[KannikaP]

39 minutes ago, smedly said:

Let the Taiwan people decide - simple 

Same as Falklands, Nthn Ireland and Gibraltar .

[robblok]

 

The history of Taiwan can be explained both ways but given the history id say it should remain as it is. But it can't without serious help of the USA. China is not to be underestimated. The sheer number of people they have and disregard for life would help them.. Look at the difference in population.

 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Excellent, I was getting worried I might die peacefully in bed of old age for a minute.

 

Bring on the megadeath. 

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Suua said:

They need to be put in their place.....I look forward to them getting a kicking, as is most of the planet.

And will gladly lend a hand.

China has no place, its just a country its certainly not inferior.

 

I dout the rest of the world could kick China its ass its not that simple. I prefer a non violent solution as the cost of lives would be huge. The west is not willing to pay it but China is.

 

Those thinking China is easily defeated should think of Japan who was also underestimated and kicked half the western world before things turned around. 

 

Wars should be avoided this one too. I believe Taiwain should remain free but it wont be easy.

[Eric Loh]

53 minutes ago, itsari said:

Status quo remains intact . With Biden or Trump in power . 

it will remain status qou as all Presidents agreed to the One-China policy initiated by Nixon. Even Trump in his 2017 phone call with Xi agreed to the One-China policy. This has big implications to how US will handle the Taiwan issue and the defense agreement with Taiwan.  

[smedly]

54 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Same as Falklands, Nthn Ireland and Gibraltar .

yes let the people decide 

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

China has no place, its just a country its certainly not inferior.

 

I dout the rest of the world could kick China its ass its not that simple. I prefer a non violent solution as the cost of lives would be huge. The west is not willing to pay it but China is.

 

Those thinking China is easily defeated should think of Japan who was also underestimated and kicked half the western world before things turned around. 

 

Wars should be avoided this one too. I believe Taiwain should remain free but it wont be easy.

Contemporary China is no longer the whipping boy like in the past. They are stronger in military and economic power. However China is still weary of the current global balance of power in favour of US but will never waver on the Taiwan's constitution to remain with the One-China principle. Wars will be costly for all sides but I personally doubt that US will defend Taiwan with troops on the ground. They don't even have a defense treaty for direct military intervention. Current Taiwan Relation Act only provide assistance to enable Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capabilities. The West has no appetite for foreign wars taking the example of Ukraine.

 

Taiwan will be better in the foreseeable future to maintain the staus quo which is actually a defecto independence. In a survey by the Election Study Center, 90% of Taiwanese favour status quo. Not many want a unification with China. 

[robblok]

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Contemporary China is no longer the whipping boy like in the past. They are stronger in military and economic power. However China is still weary of the current global balance of power in favour of US but will never waver on the Taiwan's constitution to remain with the One-China principle. Wars will be costly for all sides but I personally doubt that US will defend Taiwan with troops on the ground. They don't even have a defense treaty for direct military intervention. Current Taiwan Relation Act only provide assistance to enable Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capabilities. The West has no appetite for foreign wars taking the example of Ukraine.

 

Taiwan will be better in the foreseeable future to maintain the staus quo which is actually a defecto independence. In a survey by the Election Study Center, 90% of Taiwanese favour status quo. Not many want a unification with China. 

True, but many people don't want to accept that the US could not beat China (im sure it could militarily but the cost would too high so the support for the ware would not be there)

 

I am also not sure as the economic impact for China might be huge. Not sure they would really try it. Its crazy actually as Taiwan has only been Chinese in the far past. But then again China claims so much that is not theirs. Seems super powers do that a lot.

 

[tgw]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

 

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.

 

 

 

the Chinese are testing Biden

[tgw]

4 hours ago, Henk Langeweg said:

It is a part of China, always has been and when Mao did did some clean-up in mainland China the leftover crooks went to Taiwan. Again, Taiwan or Republic of China or whatever they want to call themselfs is an island belonging to mainland China.

 

Mao was a war criminal and guilty of very heavy crimes against humanity during his tenure.

Kudos to Taiwan for what they did achieve.

The US and the rest of the free world need to assert and enforce Taiwan's independence, and also protect the Hong Kong people from treaty breaches by [China].