China sends several warships to Taiwan following Taiwanese president’s visit to the United States. Beijing is also imposing sanctions on Taipei’s US representative, among others.
China sent warships close to Taiwan for the second straight day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Three Chinese warships passed through the waters around the island, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on Friday. A fighter jet and a helicopter were also registered.
Taipei spotted three Chinese warships and a helicopter nearby on Thursday. China also imposed sanctions on Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, Bi-khim Hsiao, on Friday, barring him from entering China. Beijing accused it of “deliberately fomenting confrontation”.
Sanctions against the Ronald Reagan Library
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also announced sanctions, including against the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Taiwanese President Tsai and US House Speaker McCarthy met on Wednesday. Beijing justified the sanctions by saying the facility “provided a platform and facilitated Tsai Ing-wen’s involvement in ‘Taiwanese separatism’ activities in the United States”.
Tsai and McCarthy met in the United States, near Los Angeles, on Wednesday. Beijing reacted angrily to the meeting and announced “determined and vigorous measures”.
Blinken warned of a worldwide economic crisis
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could lead to a global economic crisis. “If a crisis were to break out as a result of China’s unilateral action, the whole world would likely be affected,” Blinken told the Funke media group (Friday). “There would be a serious economic crisis.”
Blinken continued, Taiwan is of critical importance to the global economy: “Every day, 50 percent of the world’s commercial transport passes through the Taiwan Strait. At least 70 percent of the semiconductors we need for smartphones, dishwashers or cars are Made in Taiwan.”
The chief US diplomat accused Beijing of toughening foreign policy. “In recent years, we have seen that the status quo, which has brought peace and stability to the Taiwan Strait for decades, is no longer acceptable to the Chinese leadership.”
US pledges arms aid to Taiwan
The US Secretary of State assured the island’s democratic republic that US arms aid would continue. “We are providing Taiwan with what it needs to defend itself against any form of aggression,” he said. At the same time, Blinken urged Beijing to resolve the conflict amicably: “As far as the relationship with China is concerned, we believe that all differences should be resolved peacefully.”
Since the split between mainland China and Taiwan in 1949, Beijing has viewed the island as a breakaway territory that it wants to reunite with the mainland – if necessary using military force.
(APA/AFP)