Military maneuvers: New tensions between China and Taiwan

Created: 04/15/2022Updated: 04/15/2022 11:41 am

The US has committed to Taiwan's defense capability.

© Chiang Ying-Ying/AP/dpa/Archive

There are growing concerns that China could follow Russia's lead in Ukraine in Taiwan.

In response to a visit by a senior US delegation to Taipei, Beijing is militarily stoking tensions.

Taipei/Beijing- With military maneuvers around Taiwan, China is increasing the pressure on the democratic island republic and the USA.

After a statement on the exercises by the People's Liberation Army, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing on Friday that the maneuvers were "a backlash against negative US action and the recent visit by US senators" to Taiwan.

He was referring to the surprise visit to Taipei by a US Congressional delegation led by influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday.

China regards Taiwan only as part of the People's Republic and firmly rejects such official contacts between its diplomatic partners and the government in Taipei.

China: Attacks also practiced during maneuvers

According to Chinese military information, attacks were also practiced during the maneuvers in the sea area and airspace around Taiwan.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been growing fears that Beijing, too, could carry out its repeated threats to conquer the island.

The US has long since committed itself to Taiwan's defense capability and is supplying arms.

With their visit, the US congressmen want to demonstrate the “rock-solid” US support for Taiwan.

At the meeting with President Tsai, Senator Graham sharply criticized Beijing and also referred to its political backing for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine war.

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"We start with China paying a higher price for what it's doing around the world," Graham said.

“Supporting Putin must come at a cost.” The senator asserted that the US would stand by Taiwan should China step up its provocations.

Giving up Taiwan means giving up democracy, freedom and free trade, the senator said.

Taiwan: Strengthen democratic alliances

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine proves that democracies need to strengthen their alliances," Taiwan's president said.

"Together we can defend ourselves against the threats of authoritarian systems that seek to disrupt regional peace."

Rather, despite China's saber-rattling, Beijing's State Department spokesman accused the US of blaming China-Taiwan tensions for supporting Taiwanese "independence forces."

"Whoever plays with fire will burn themselves in the end." The Taiwan question is an "internal matter" of China that does not allow any foreign interference.

dpa