ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE
The relationship between China, the U.S., and the PRC escalates every day. Every word or action leads to further provocation and U.S. actions pour oil on flames of the tensions.
The defense ministers of China and the United States held talks in Singapore on June 10. Chinese Minister of National Defense, General Wei Fenghe, stressed that if anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military has no choice but to fight at all costs and take all necessary measures to crush any attempt by “Taiwan separatists” to separate Taiwan from the motherland. The Chinese military will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The U.S.-China relationship with Taiwan continues to deteriorate day by day. The U.S. is prepared to provide Taiwan with everything it needs to defend itself in the event of unilateral moves by Beijing. This is despite Beijing’s repeated attempts to urge Washington to stop encouraging Taipei’s separatist aspirations. Against the backdrop of these aggressive actions by Washington, an escalation of the crisis around Taiwan that could lead to open confrontation becomes likely.
On June 15, 2022, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized the Taiwanese government for “cooperating with outside forces to inflate, harming the interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits and betraying the interests of the Chinese nation, which is repugnant.”
On June 15, the Taiwanese government stated that the Taiwan Strait is international waters and Taiwan supports the passage of U.S. warships in these waters, claiming that the passage of U.S. warships promotes peace and stability in the region.
On June 16, the Taiwanese military invited the media to a military factory where the Clouded Leopard eight-wheeled armored vehicle was being manufactured and tested in a remote mountainous area of Taiwan and showed the media the latest developments in Taiwanese production. The CM-34 Clouded Leopard eight-wheeled armored vehicle.
CM-34 Cloud Leopard Eight-wheel Armored Vehicle
CM-34 Cloud Leopard Eight-wheel Armored Vehicle
On June 17, State Department spokesman Price said in comments to the press:
“The Taiwan Strait is an international waterway, which means that the Taiwan Strait ensures freedom of the high seas, including freedom of navigation and flight, which is guaranteed under international law.” Price affirmed that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever permitted under international law, including through the Taiwan Strait.
The actions of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense are seen as part of an attempt to show the people and all sectors of society their determination to defend themselves at a time when Beijing authorities are increasing military intimidation and military pressure on Taiwan. On the one hand, Taiwan buys various modern weapons, including fighter jets, from the United States and, on the other hand, also develops and produces various necessary weapons and equipment.
The situation has also been exacerbated by the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed a directive on the “non-military” use of the armed forces. This raises fears that Beijing may be preparing to invade Taiwan under the guise of a special operation. Now the People’s Liberation Army of China will have to protect state national sovereignty, assist in case of disasters and natural calamities, maintain peace in the country and conduct humanitarian operations in non-military time. In addition, the function of the military would include the protection of infrastructure, such as pipelines. This decision plays an important role in defining the functions of the Chinese armed forces in the changed era. Taiwan, on the other hand, received the initiative very negatively.
On June 16, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protested the Russian president’s words that the “Taiwan problem” belongs to “China’s internal affairs” along with the problems of Xinjiang and Tibet. On June 15, during a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia “opposes the interference of any forces in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called problems of Xinjiang, Xianggang, and Taiwan. It is interesting to note Taiwan-Russian relations. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Ou Jiang-an also stated that Taiwan and the PRC are not under each other’s jurisdiction. The PRC has never governed Taiwan, and only a government elected by the Taiwanese people through free elections can represent Taiwan in the international arena. Mrs. Ou added that Taiwan, by upholding the values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, makes an important contribution to global economic development and the maintenance of peace and stability. Ou noted that the government and people of Taiwan are determined to unite in the face of the long-term and comprehensive threat posed by China. She also commented on U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s recent remarks about the U.S. commitment to its pledges to support Taiwan’s security, saying that Taiwan intends to strengthen its defense capabilities, asymmetric warfare capabilities, protect its sovereignty and security and continue to deepen its friendship and security partnership with the United States. Taiwan’s representative office in the U.S. requested “the purchase of unclassified spare parts and components for ships and ship systems,” as well as logistical assistance of a technical nature. The U.S. will sell $120 million worth of ship parts to Taiwan.
