China Angers Taiwan - Taiwan Angers China

[Randy W]

Taiwan is trying to boost its defences. It’s learning from Ukraine

• A year into the war, observers say there are clear lessons for Taipei, including on military reform, asymmetric warfare, unity and morale
• President Tsai Ing-wen has said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows how a small country can resist a much bigger attacker

from the SCMP

 

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and created Europe’s largest refugee wave since World War II. In this multimedia series marking the one-year anniversary of the conflict, we look at China’s response to what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation” and its diplomatic, military, monetary and economic impact.

When Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced that compulsory military service would be extended from four months to a year, she pointed to Ukraine as an example for the self-ruled island to learn from.

Tsai said Taiwan was “on the front line of authoritarian expansion”, and that Ukraine showed how a small country could resist a much larger attacker.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has passed its 300th day and continues unabated … but Ukraine has not fallen, and it is still fighting,” she told reporters on December 27, as she outlined a plan to boost Taiwan’s defences in the face of growing military threats from Beijing.

Twelve months into the war in Ukraine, observers say there are clear lessons for Taiwan – that its much-criticised military needs reform, and that the island needs to invest in asymmetric warfare capabilities, strengthen unity, and improve morale, both in the military and among the public.

The conflict in Ukraine also shows the importance of building strong relationships with allies and partners around the world, to ensure the island has the support it needs to defend itself in the event of a war breaking out across the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, observers note that Beijing – which sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought under its control, by force if necessary – will be watching and learning from Russia’s mistakes in the war.

 

 

[Randy W]

Xi Jinping says ‘wishful thinking’ to expect Beijing to compromise on Taiwan

• Chinese leader makes first public comment since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
• Xi made the remarks in a meeting with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday

from the SCMP

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
 

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“[The] Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests. The Chinese government and Chinese people will never agree to anyone making a fuss about the one China issue,” Xi said, according to a foreign ministry statement.
“Anyone who expects China to compromise on the Taiwan issue is [engaging in] wishful thinking and will only shoot himself in the foot.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, von der Leyen said the Taiwan issue had been discussed and she had told Xi that “the threat to use force to change the status quo is unacceptable. It is important that some of the tensions that might occur should be resolved through dialogue.”

 . . .

Four agencies in Beijing, including the foreign and defence ministries, denounced the meeting between Tsai and McCarthy on Thursday, while aircraft carrier groups from US and Chinese forces were observed near Taiwan.

 

 

[Randy W]

China simulates striking Taiwan on second day of drills
China's military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan in a second day of drills around the island, with the defense ministry reporting multiple air force sorties and that it was monitoring China's missile forces.

from Reuters

 

[Randy W]

Will Macron’s take on Taiwan tilt the balance in China’s favour?

• The French president’s call for Europe to avoid bloc politics over the island is part of his non-confrontational approach to Beijing
• But observers question whether his comments will remain France’s long-term position

from the SCMP

French President Emmanuel Macron has pursued a non-confrontational approach in handling China. Photo: AFP
 

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In an interview with Politico published on Sunday, Macron, who was on his way back to Paris after a three-day state visit to China, said Europe had no interest in accelerating the crisis over Taiwan and must reduce its dependence on the United States.

“The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must be followers and adapt ourselves to the American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction,” Macron was quoted as saying.

“We don’t want to get into a bloc-versus-bloc logic,” he said, adding Europe “should not be caught up in a disordering of the world and crises that aren’t ours”.

 . . .

From mainland China’s perspective, Macron’s stance on Taiwan was “very positive” and “flattering”, Shi said, but noted the interview was conducted in the wake of a slew of lucrative business agreements and joint pledges to boost bilateral economic and trade ties.

 . . .

“It is too early to tell if Macron has indeed made compromises, or [the comments] were just intended to please his Chinese hosts because of a good visit. Don’t be surprised if he back-pedals on those words one day.”

 

I think they're reading too much into what Macron is saying - it was, after all, "conducted in the wake of a slew of lucrative business agreements and joint pledges to boost bilateral economic and trade ties."

[Randy W]

Taiwan’s antique jade sector loses its lustre amid cross-strait tensions and weak post-Covid economy
Taiwan’s antique jade industry used to be the go-to place for Chinese heritage hunters. But rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait have shut out the industry’s biggest buyers. #china #taiwan #antique #jade #scmpnews #scmp

from the SCMP on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/reel/256569510649397
 

 

[Randy W]

Taiwan raises concerns about situation ‘getting out of hand’ with China drills

from Reuters (via The Print)

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The increased frequency of China’s military activities around Taiwan recently has raised the risk of events “getting out of hand” and sparking an accidental clash, the island’s defence minister said on Saturday.

Taiwan has said that the past two weeks has seen dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships and the Chinese carrier the Shandong, operating nearby.

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Warships from China’s southern and eastern theatre commands have been operating together off Taiwan’s east coast, he added.

“The risks of activities involving aircraft, ships, and weapons will increase, and both sides must pay attention,” Chiu said.

China has not commented about the drills around Taiwan, and its defence ministry has not responded to requests for comment.

 . . .

Taiwan’s traditional military planning for a potential conflict has been to use its mountainous east coast, especially the two major air bases there, as a place to regroup and preserve its forces given it does not directly face China unlike the island’s west coast.

But China has increasingly been flexing its muscles off Taiwan’s east coast, and generally displaying its ability to operate much further away from China’s own coastline.

China normally performs large-scale exercises from July to September, Taiwan’s defence ministry has said.

On Saturday the ministry said China had largely dialled back its drills, reporting that over the previous 24 hour period it had only spotted two Chinese aircraft operating in its air defence zone.

 

 

[Randy W]

APEC over, Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity

from Japan Today

 

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Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Sunday, with nine aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and warships carrying out "combat readiness patrols".

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With Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he met U.S. President Joe Biden, the scale of that military activity around Taiwan had scaled off.

But Taiwan's defence ministry reported that starting onSunday morning it had detected nine Chinese aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line, which had previously served as an unofficial barrier between the two and which Chinese planes now regularly fly over.

The aircraft involved included Su-30 and J-10 fighters, as well as early warning and electronic warfare aircraft, the ministry said.

The aircraft were accompanying Chinese warships carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" it added.

Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, the ministry said.

China's defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment. China says its activities near Taiwan are aimed at "collusion" between Taiwan separatists and the United States and to protect China's territorial integrity.

 

 

[Randy W]

China invasion unlikely: President Tsai

PEACE AND STABILITY: ‘Taiwan can be of tremendous value’ in building resilient supply chains, President Tsai Ing-wen said, as she encouraged closer ties with foreign businesses

 

from the Taipei Times

An interview between journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin and President Tsai Ing-wen is displayed on a screen during the "New York Times’" annual DealBook summit in New York on Wednesday.

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“My thought is that perhaps this is not a time for them [China] to consider a major invasion of Taiwan,” Tsai said in a prerecorded interview for the DealBook Summit held by the newspaper on Wednesday.

Beijing’s leadership is presently “overwhelmed by its internal challenges” on economic, financial and political grounds, while the international community “has made it loud and clear that war is not an option, and peace and stability serves everybody’s interests,” she said.

 

 

[Randy W]

On 12/1/2023 at 8:38 PM, Randy W said:

China invasion unlikely: President Tsai

PEACE AND STABILITY: ‘Taiwan can be of tremendous value’ in building resilient supply chains, President Tsai Ing-wen said, as she encouraged closer ties with foreign businesses

 

from the Taipei Times

An interview between journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin and President Tsai Ing-wen is displayed on a screen during the "New York Times’" annual DealBook summit in New York on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6:05 / 9:36

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan's Elections Just Got Very Interesting!

 

[Randy W]

China satellite launch triggers air raid alert in Taiwan ahead of election

Taiwan issued an islandwide air raid alert after a Chinese satellite flew over its southern airspace days before a crucial presidential election.  Mobile phone users across the self-ruled island received a message warning them to "be aware for your safety". The "presidential alert" underlined jitters ahead of pivotal presidential and legislative elections on Saturday. China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its own territory and has been accused of interfering in the vote. The self-governing island of 23 million people, is a key flashpoint in the tussle between China and the US for supremacy in Asia. Analysts say the elections will shape the trajectory of ties between Beijing and Washington. The satellite was launched off the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan province at 15:03 local time, Taiwan's defence ministry said. At about the same time as the alert, China's CCTV announced that a satellite named Einstein Probe had been launched with "complete success".

 

Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan unite to back anti-Beijing party

Immigrants from Hong Kong are organizing for the re-election of Taiwan’s ruling party led by William Lai. Despite high barriers to entry for Hong Kong immigrants, many are united to take a strong stand against political ties to Beijing.

 

 

Edited January 10 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Can Taiwan’s KMT yield to changing voter attitudes without offending Beijing?

• The party is facing internal pressure, especially from its younger members, for renewal – including a review of its stance on cross-strait relations
• KMT’s defeat in the January election has put the question in the spotlight, with growing internal calls for change

 

 

 

[Randy W]

Tit-for-tat moves in the Taiwan Strait

Beijing slams Taiwan over death of mainland fishermen