China’s Military Exercises Raise Concerns of War Against Taiwan: Island’s Foreign Minister Tells CNN.
In an exclusive interview with CNN one day after China simulated “joint precision strikes” on Taiwan during military exercises around the island, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu condemned Beijing’s actions and warned that “they appear to be preparing to launch a war against Taiwan.”
“Based on their military exercises and rhetoric, they appear to be preparing to launch a war against Taiwan,” Wu said.
“The Taiwanese government considers the Chinese military threat to be unacceptable, and we condemn it.”
US intelligence reports that Xi has ordered his military to be ready by 2027 gave Wu confidence in Taiwan’s preparations. Xi was asked if Taiwan knows when China might attack since he ordered his military to be ready by 2027.
“Chinese leaders will reconsider their decision to employ force against Taiwan.” And regardless of whether it is 2025, 2027, or beyond, Taiwan must simply prepare,” he said.
The exercises appeared to be the first time the Chinese navy had simulated carrier-based attacks against Taiwan.
Beijing began drills on Saturday after Taiwan’s president returned from a 10-day trip to Central America and the US, where she met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers.
Beijing called them “serious warning against Taiwan separatist forces.’Collusion with external forces” and “necessary step to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
When asked if such a visit would be too expensive, Wu told CNN, “China cannot dictate how Taiwan makes friends. And China cannot dictate how our allies wish to express their support for Taiwan.”
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After then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last August, Beijing conducted similar large-scale military exercises around Taiwan.
During those exercises, Chinese missiles were launched over the island, something that has not yet occurred during the current exercises.
Since the end of a civil war over seven decades ago, when defeated Nationalists fled to Taipei. Taiwan, and China have been governed separately. Freedom House, a non-profit organization based in the United States, currently ranks Taiwan as one of the freest countries in Asia. Taiwan made the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy in the 1990s.
However, China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing island as its territory, and as his power has grown in recent years. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has made clear his ambitions to “reunify” with the island – by force if necessary.
China’s military exercises coincided with the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, who was received by Xi in Beijing.
“The worst thing would be to think that Europeans must become followers on this issue. And adapt to the American rhythm or a Chinese overreaction,” Macron told reporters after his meeting, questioning France’s involvement in the Taiwan crisis.” French officials later stated that his remarks were misconstrued. Wu told CNN that Taiwan has requested clarification from France.
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“We are still attempting to decipher what he says and what it means through the French government,” Wu said, adding that “the French government has been showing support for Taiwan.”
Despite administration officials’ claims that the US is committed to its “one China” policy, President Joe Biden has stated that the US would defend Taiwan militarily if China attacked.
The Taiwan Relations Act requires the US to give Taiwan defensive weapons. But officials rarely say whether they would defend Taiwan if China attacked.
While Wu repeatedly emphasized that “defending Taiwan is our responsibility,” he noted that, due to its relationship with its allies in the region, “the United States appears more determined than ever to create a situation in which China is aware that a military attack against Taiwan will be associated with a high price.” And we commend the United States for adopting this stance.”
China’s Military Exercises Raise Concerns of War Against Taiwan: Island’s Foreign Minister Tells CNN.
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