Guwahati: The speaker of the US House stated on Wednesday that her delegation’s visit to Taiwan was an expression of support for the island in light of China’s angry reaction to Nancy Pelosi’s arrival yesterday.
The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen has declared that the island will “not back down” despite rising tensions between the two countries.
The Taipei Defense Ministry blasted China’s announcement of live-fire military drills around Taiwan, labelling them a threat to the island’s important ports and metropolitan centres.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has provided coordinates that show that the zone of Chinese operations will occasionally be within 20 kilometres of Taiwan’s coastline.
Officials in Taiwan were determined to keep the populace calm despite the possibility of the situation spiralling out of control.
According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, “The defence ministry has constantly observed and intensified preparations and would respond appropriately in due course.”
The defence ministry also said that China’s military exercises breach the island’s territorial waters. Defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang, while addressing a press conference said, “Some of the areas of China’s drills breach into (Taiwan’s) territorial waters. This is an irrational move to challenge the international order.”
China has also slapped sanctions on the island country in response to Pelosi’s visit. It has stopped sand supplies to Taipei and restricted the import of produce and fish from Taiwan.
Meanwhile, talks are scheduled to be held today between Southeast Asian foreign ministers in a bid to find out ways to help calm rising tensions over Taiwan. Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh planned to discuss the crisis in Myanmar.
It should be emphasised that Beijing has long kept the island isolated on the international front and has opposed nations having official exchanges with Taipei. Beijing has also pledged to one day occupy democratic, self-governing Taiwan, using force if necessary.
Additionally, Japan has voiced its disapproval of China’s military exercises in the waters off Taiwan.
The marine areas designated by the Chinese side as those to be used for military drills, according to chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, “overlap with Japan’s exclusive economic zone.” Japan has voiced concerns to the Chinese side due to the fact that this military action involves live-fire training.
What We Know So Far?
Amid tensions flaring, Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan yesterday in the highest-ranking visit by an American politician to the island in 25 years.
Taiwan sees itself as a democratic nation with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.
However, President of China Xi Jingping said reunification is a must and will be done by force if needed.
History
Located just 100 miles off the mainland China, it is a part of ‘first-island chain’ as it is known, which includes US friendly territories crucial to its foreign policies.
According to experts, the move to unify Taiwan would be troublesome for US military bases as far as Guam and Hawaii, however, China has maintained that its intentions are purely peaceful.
Historically, Taiwan first came under Chinese occupation in the 17th century under the rule of Qing dynasty. Taiwan was handed over Japan in 1895 after China lost in the Sino-Japan war.
China again took control over Taiwan after Japan’s loss in World War II.
Then during the civil war between nationalist government forces led by Chiang Kai-shek and Communist Party of Mao Zedong. While the communists won in 1949 and took over Beijing, Chiang Kai-shek and his remnants went over and reigned on Taiwan for the next several decades.
China points to history to claim that Taiwan has always been an integral part, however, pointing to that same history, Taiwan dismiss China’s claims clarifying that they were never part of modern Chinese province.
Moreover, Taiwan is recognized as a country by only 13 nations around the world and Vatican. China has exerted pressure against recognizing Taiwan as a separate country or any action that implies recognition.
In addition, Taiwan’’s defence ministry has said that relations with China are at their worst point in 40 years.
Military Might
Should push come to shove, China is vastly superior to their island neighbour in terms of military might. China’s active forces stand at a total of 2,035,000 to Taiwan’s paltry 169,000. China has 5,400 tanks, while Taiwan has only 650. Taiwan’s four submarines fall way behind China’s 59. While China has 86 naval ships, Taiwan has only 26.