The People’s Republic of China has enough fighter jets to encircle “the precious island of our motherland,” China said. US politician Nancy Pelosi has since confirmed her trip to Asia, but has not given any information about a possible visit to Taiwan. This fueled diplomatic tensions.
China’s air force is bolstering Beijing’s claim to the island amid recent tensions over Taiwan’s status. “The Air Force has determination, complete confidence and sufficient capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” an Air Force spokesperson said on Sunday, referring to the island nation considered by Beijing to be a breakaway province.
The People’s Republic of China has enough fighter jets to encircle “the precious island of our motherland,” he said. Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, whose national independence Russia disputes, international attention has increasingly focused on the unresolved Taiwan conflict. The US supports the island state, which insists on its independence as the Republic of China.
Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as a provocation to Beijing
Expectations that the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, would also visit Taiwan as part of her planned trip to Asia, recently caused unrest in Beijing. Pelosi confirmed her trip to Asia over the weekend without giving details about a possible visit to Taiwan. Her office said Sunday that President Joe Biden’s party colleague will travel to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan with a six-member US Congressional delegation. A planned visit to Taiwan had already led to diplomatic tensions with China.
“Our delegation will hold high-level talks to discuss how we can further advance our common interests and values,” Pelosi said. The focus is therefore on issues such as security, economic cooperation, climate protection and human rights.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the delegation, made up entirely of Democratic Party members, will visit the city-state on August 1 and 2. Thus, meetings with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong are planned.
“Who plays with fire…”
Pelosi also planned to travel to Taiwan. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, she holds the third highest office in the United States and is allowed to travel on a military aircraft. Beijing considers this visit a provocation.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland – if necessary using military force. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has recently stoked fears that Beijing could use a similar approach in dealing with Taiwan.
Tensions between China and the United States over the Taiwan issue have steadily increased in recent months. On Thursday, China’s head of state Xi Jinping said in a phone call with US President Joe Biden: “Those who play with fire will end up getting burned. I hope the US side gets this right.”
(APA/AFP/Portal)