China still shows no desire to deviate from current Taiwanese policy – on the contrary: the new Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, even openly threatened a military conquest of the Republic of Taiwan. You can’t promise not to use violence either, he said plainly.
Ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security conference in Singapore, General Li Shangfu said in a meeting with the city-state’s defense minister Ng Eng Hen that China is seeking peaceful “reunification”, but Taipei’s ruling Progressive Party (DPP) ) will not allow ) strive for independence.
China: island that is part of the People’s Republic
“We will never promise to refrain from using force,” Chinese state media quoted him as saying Friday about the meeting the day before. “China must be united.” China’s leadership will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the general, taking part in the security dialogue for the first time.
China considers the Democratic Island Republic as part of the People’s Republic. However, Taiwan, which today has a population of 23 million, has had an independent government for more than seven decades. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown that China could use similar force against Taiwan.
United States is committed to defense
The United States has committed itself to the island’s ability to defend itself, which so far has mostly come down to arms shipments. US President Joe Biden had promised to deploy US troops to help Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is also attending the Singapore conference, has asked his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu to meet on the sidelines. However, the Chinese side rejected this.
Pavel: China “Challenge of the Future”
During his trip to Vienna, Czech President Petr Pavel also warned about Beijing. China will be “the challenge of the future – much more so than Russia,” Pavel said late Thursday at the National Defense Academy. Pavel also announced a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
The talks are taking place on the margins of a multilateral event. The former chief of staff was critical of the idea of a European army of his own.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
