In a statement on Tuesday, the defense ministry said it is fully aware of military activity near Taiwan and has the “determination, capability and confidence” to ensure Taiwan’s national security. He added that he had made various unspecified contingency plans. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s prime minister reiterated that he “warmly welcomes” foreign visitors ahead of Pelosi’s possible visit. Taiwan would “make the most appropriate arrangements” for such visitors and respect their plans, Premier Su Cheng-chang told reporters on Tuesday when asked about a visit. The remarks came after Reuters reported that several Chinese warships and planes traveled near the median line – an unofficial border between China and Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait. Citing unnamed sources, the report said the ships had been in the area since Monday, with the last flights taking place on Tuesday morning, prompting Taiwan’s air force to scramble its own aircraft in response. Taiwan’s defense ministry earlier reportedly adjusted and strengthened military readiness in response to China’s threat. According to public broadcaster CNA, it had not officially changed the level of readiness, which concerns only two stages: the current tactical scene and the time of war. China has also announced several days of live-fire drills in the region, although these could be related to events marking Monday’s anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA also released a propaganda video that did not mention Taiwan but depicted live-fire drills and said it would “bury incoming enemies.” On Tuesday, several Chinese officials issued further warnings. US Ambassador Qin Gang shared the PLA video, saying the military “will not stand idly by when it comes to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Former UK ambassador Liu Xiaoming largely echoed other government statements. “A visit by her to Taiwan would be gross interference in China’s internal affairs, would seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and would wrongfully encroach on the one-China principle,” he said. Overnight, Chinese authorities announced a sudden ban on imports from more than 100 Taiwanese food companies, local media reported, in what was interpreted as an act of retaliation for the expected visit, a trade tool China often uses in bilateral disputes. . Multiple media reports said Pelosi will land in Taipei on Tuesday night and meet with Taiwan’s president on Wednesday as an unofficial stop during her Asia tour. Pelosi, a longtime China hawk, will be the most senior member of the US administration to visit Taiwan in decades, and Beijing has repeatedly threatened unspecified “countermeasures” in response. Pelosi declined to confirm her trip to Taiwan – a rescheduled visit after plans were postponed in April when she contracted Covid-19 – but her lack of denials and multiple leaks to the media prompted an angry reaction from China and fears that the situation could escalate. Taiwan is a self-governing republic and has never been ruled by China’s ruling Communist Party (CCP), but Beijing claims it as a province it intends to “reunify,” by force if necessary. The CCP strongly opposes foreign displays of support for a “separatist” government in Taiwan, especially from what it says is the US. Taiwan, whose government declined to comment on the visit, often welcomes foreign delegations as it seeks to develop its international relations. Few countries recognize Taiwan as a country, including the US, but Washington has legislated requirements to provide self-defense support to Taiwan and is strengthening unofficial ties. Taiwanese sources told the Guardian there was a general concern that if Pelosi did not visit it would suggest the US could be swayed by verbal threats and damage Taiwan’s confidence in its support. On Tuesday Kolas Yotaka, a former representative of Taiwan’s presidency and now a candidate for county government, said she supported the visit. “No one has the right to say whether Speaker Pelosi ‘should’ come to Taiwan or not,” he said. “Only she can decide and she shouldn’t feel threatened. I look forward to her visit. It makes us feel less isolated and we believe that there are still people who maintain their beliefs and ideals.” Chinese reaction to reports of Pelosi’s visits has grown, though without details. In a lengthy phone call last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, while officials have repeatedly said the PLA will not “stand idle” for the visit . Analysts in Taiwan and abroad have expressed concern that Beijing’s rhetoric has reached a level that would force them to take action to avoid losing face. On Monday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Pelosi’s decision to visit was entirely her own, as leader of the co-equal branch of government in Congress. He noted visits by previous speakers and other members of Congress to Taiwan and urged calm from China. “We are looking for them, should he decide to visit, to act responsibly and not engage in any escalation in the future.” Additional reporting by Chi Hui Lin and agencies
title: “Taiwan China Step Up Military Rhetoric As Pelosi S Visit Is Expected Taiwan " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-17” author: “James Ricks”
In a statement on Tuesday, the defense ministry said it is fully aware of military activity near Taiwan and has the “determination, capability and confidence” to ensure Taiwan’s national security. He added that he had made various unspecified contingency plans. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s prime minister reiterated that he “warmly welcomes” foreign visitors ahead of Pelosi’s possible visit. Taiwan would “make the most appropriate arrangements” for such visitors and respect their plans, Premier Su Cheng-chang told reporters on Tuesday when asked about a visit. The remarks came after Reuters reported that several Chinese warships and planes traveled near the median line – an unofficial border between China and Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait. Citing unnamed sources, the report said the ships had been in the area since Monday, with the last flights taking place on Tuesday morning, prompting Taiwan’s air force to scramble its own aircraft in response. Taiwan’s defense ministry earlier reportedly adjusted and strengthened military readiness in response to China’s threat. According to public broadcaster CNA, it had not officially changed the level of readiness, which concerns only two stages: the current tactical scene and the time of war. China has also announced several days of live-fire drills in the region, although these could be related to events marking Monday’s anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA also released a propaganda video that did not mention Taiwan but depicted live-fire drills and said it would “bury incoming enemies.” On Tuesday, several Chinese officials issued further warnings. US Ambassador Qin Gang shared the PLA video, saying the military “will not stand idly by when it comes to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Former UK ambassador Liu Xiaoming largely echoed other government statements. “A visit by her to Taiwan would be gross interference in China’s internal affairs, would seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and would wrongfully encroach on the one-China principle,” he said. Overnight, Chinese authorities announced a sudden ban on imports from more than 100 Taiwanese food companies, local media reported, in what was interpreted as an act of retaliation for the expected visit, a trade tool China often uses in bilateral disputes. . Multiple media reports said Pelosi will land in Taipei on Tuesday night and meet with Taiwan’s president on Wednesday as an unofficial stop on her Asia tour. Pelosi, a longtime China hawk, will be the most senior member of the US administration to visit Taiwan in decades, and Beijing has repeatedly threatened unspecified “countermeasures” in response. Pelosi declined to confirm her trip to Taiwan – a rescheduled visit after plans were postponed in April when she contracted Covid-19 – but her lack of denials and multiple leaks to the media prompted an angry reaction from China and fears that the situation could escalate. Taiwan is a self-governing republic and has never been ruled by China’s ruling Communist Party (CCP), but Beijing claims it as a province it intends to “reunify,” by force if necessary. The CCP strongly opposes foreign displays of support for a “separatist” government in Taiwan, especially from what it says is the US. Taiwan, whose government declined to comment on the visit, often welcomes foreign delegations as it seeks to develop its international relations. Few countries recognize Taiwan as a country, including the US, but Washington has legislated requirements to provide self-defense support to Taiwan and is strengthening unofficial ties. Taiwanese sources told the Guardian there was a general concern that if Pelosi did not visit it would suggest the US could be swayed by verbal threats and damage Taiwan’s confidence in its support. On Tuesday Kolas Yotaka, a former representative of Taiwan’s presidency and now a candidate for county government, said she supported the visit. “No one has the right to say whether Speaker Pelosi ‘should’ come to Taiwan or not,” he said. “Only she can decide and she shouldn’t feel threatened. I look forward to her visit. It makes us feel less isolated and we believe that there are still people who maintain their beliefs and ideals.” Chinese reaction to reports of Pelosi’s visits has grown, though without details. In a lengthy phone call last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, while officials have repeatedly said the PLA will not “stand idle” for the visit . Analysts in Taiwan and abroad have expressed concern that Beijing’s rhetoric has reached a level that would force them to take action to avoid losing face. On Monday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Pelosi’s decision to visit was entirely her own, as leader of the co-equal branch of government in Congress. He noted visits by previous speakers and other members of Congress to Taiwan and urged calm from China. “We are looking for them, should he decide to visit, to act responsibly and not engage in any escalation in the future.” Additional reporting by Chi Hui Lin and agencies
