China announced many more military drills around Taiwan as the president met with the US delegation on Monday. The move is threatening to renew tensions between the US and China. Here’s all you need to know.
Taiwan: US delegations meet with the President
China announced new military drills around the self-governing island as members of a new US congressional delegation met with the President. China is also accusing the US of encouraging Taiwan’s independence through engagement with the government and the sale of weapons. However, Washington stated it does not have any formal diplomatic ties with the island nation. However, it is legally bound to ensure it can protect itself from attacks. “China will take resolute and strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. A handful of U.S. politicians, in collusion with the separatist forces of Taiwan independence, are trying to challenge the one-China principle, which is out of their depth and doomed to failure,” stated Wang Wenbin. Wenbin is the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Beijing has announced new drills in the skies and seas around the island nation. According to China’s Defense Ministry, these exercises are to be a “resolute response and solemn deterrent against collusion and provocation between the U.S. and Taiwan”. However, it is unclear if the drills have begun. Unlike the previous rounds, the ministry did not disclose the location or time of the drills. The US delegation led by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts met with Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese President, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, and other legislators. According to the American Institute in Taiwan, they “had an opportunity to exchange views with Taiwan counterparts on a wide range of issues of importance to both the United States and Taiwan”. The American Institute is the de-facto US embassy in the nation.
More on the military drills and foreign relations
According to China, it wants to resort to using peaceful means to bring Taiwan under its control. However, its recent moves are emphasizing its threat to take over by force. The previous drills appear as a rehearsal of an attack or blockade that will force the revocation of commercial flights and shipping in major ports. The exercises are also forcing the Taiwanese military to stay on alert. The US’ “visit at this time is of great significance because the Chinese military exercise is (intended) to deter U.S. congressmen from visiting Taiwan,” stated Lo Chih-cheng. Lo is the chair of the Foreign and National Defense Committee of the nation’s legislature.
“Their visit this time proves that China cannot stop politicians from any country to visit Taiwan, and it also conveys an important message that the American people stand with the Taiwanese people,” added Lo. In addition to the geopolitical risks of increasing tensions between the US and China, an extended crisis in the region can have major supply chain issues across the world. Taiwan Strait is a major shipping region and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. This will further stress and escalate problems caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.