https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/ ... jing-pressChina should be prepared for crisis in the Taiwan Strait, the hawkish Global Times newspaper has said in an editorial, amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington over the self-ruled island that China sees as a wayward province.
The United States has ramped up pressure on China in the disputed South China Sea, with reports of US bombers flying over the region this week. Reuters reported Washington was considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait.
The US is also re-opening its de-facto embassy in Taipei next week after a $250m upgrade.
China and the United States – currently in heated talks over trade – have frequently sparred over questions of militarisation of the South China Sea, where China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines all have competing claims.
“China and the US are likely to face a new Taiwan Straits crisis sooner or later. China needs to make early preparation,” the state-run Chinese tabloid said. The newspaper does not reflect official policy.
“The Chinese mainland is not afraid of any crisis in the Taiwan Straits, even a showdown, so as to quash US and Taiwan aggressiveness and safeguard national unity,” it said.
The rise in tensions over Taiwan come at a sensitive time for US-China relations. The two countries are locked in negotiations to avoid a full-blown trade war.
The comments reflect earlier statements by the newspaper, which said last month China must prepare to forcefully respond to any “extreme” US interference in the South China Sea.
China has alarmed Taiwan by ramping up military exercises this year, including flying bombers and other military aircraft around the island and sending its aircraft carrier through the narrow Taiwan Strait that separates it from Taiwan.
Taiwan simulated repelling an invading force and used civilian-operated drones for the first time as part of annual military drills on the self-ruled island on Thursday.
China claims Taiwan as its sacred territory under its “one China” policy and Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring what it sees as a wayward province under its control
It's not the US and Taiwan who are being aggressive. The South China Sea is international waters. Trillions of dollars worth of trade passes through there and without the US standing guard China would unjustly claim ownership.
Xi initially seemed like the new face of China but now he has managed to instate himself for life he is showing his true colours. Why would anyone align themselves with China?