After balloons, a Chinese satellite that was successfully launched on Tuesday from a spaceport in the northwestern province of Sichuan has now caused unrest on the island of Taiwan.
According to Chinese state television channel CCTV, the Einstein Probe research satellite entered its ‘designated orbit’. Images were published showing the launch vehicle taking off surrounded by white smoke and detaching from the satellite shortly afterwards.
The Foreign Minister sees an “attempt to intimidate China”.
A nationwide alert was issued on the island of Taiwan. Authorities urged people to seek safety. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu justified the nationwide alarm due to the risk of falling debris. He called the satellite launch an attempt at intimidation by Beijing. “Faced with these kinds of threats against Taiwan, we must be vigilant and not be provoked,” he stressed.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the satellite will be used for astronomical observations, especially “mysterious fleeting phenomena in the universe that are similar to the flickering of fireworks.” According to a report from the US Department of Defense, China will launch about 180 satellites into orbit in 2022, a fivefold increase compared to the previous five years.
Tense situation before the elections
Just a few days ago, three Chinese balloons crossed the island and then disappeared again at different points. There will be presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan on January 13. The government is currently on high alert for Chinese activities, both military and political. The Chinese government still claims the island as its own territory and has threatened an invasion if ‘reunification’ is not possible. There are also international concerns about war.
The conflict over Taiwan dates back to the civil war in China: After the defeat by the communists, the national Chinese government fled with its troops to Taiwan. The island has been independently governed since then, while the Communist People’s Republic was proclaimed in Beijing in 1949. Citing the ‘One China Doctrine’, Beijing strictly rejects official contacts between other countries and Taipei. Under pressure from Beijing, only a few, mostly smaller, states diplomatically recognize the island republic.
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.
