China has threatened Taiwan with war yet again as they issued a “battlefield” warning. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen told the country that “There should be absolutely no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure.”
She added, “We will continue to bolster our national defence and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid for us.”
She also suggested that there could be diplomacy as she said, “We hope for an easing of… relations (with Beijing) and will not act rashly, but there should be absolutely no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure.”
Taiwan have declared their country as an independent and autonomous country which is separated from China.
But China does not recognise this and has previously stated that the island is part of the One China policy, whilst the younger Taiwanese generation believe their country has nothing to do with China.
Last week China’s President Xi Jingping issued a grave warning to Taiwan and said that “no one should underestimate” that the Chinese people will defend their “national sovereignty.”
Jingping said, “No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s staunch determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and will definitely be fulfilled.”
The Chinese President has previously stated that there is no Taiwanese independence and he has continuously threatened military force.
Zhang Wensheng of Xiamen University said to China’s Global Times newspaper over the speech by Taiwan’s President, that it was “filled with resentment against the Chinese mainland because she is an enemy of the state.”
He added, that “if [Tsai] continues such provocative acts, the mainland will have no choice but to take it to the battlefield.”
A Chinese military expert also gave a comment and said, “Resisting reunification by force will only bring doom more quickly to Taiwan secessionists.”
Only 15 states out of 193 from the United Nations recognise Taiwan as an independent state, however the US does not, but under law they have vowed to protect Taiwan.
A spokesperson from the US Department of State said, “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan.”
The UK also supports Taiwan’s participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite.
This includes lobbying for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization. Taiwan has been referred to as a country by several Ministers in the House of Commons.
The former British Prime Minister Theresa May questioned Boris Johnson over the newly signed Aukus defence pact with the US, Australia and the UK which could lead to the UK into war with China.
Last month May asked the Prime Minister, “What are the implications of this pact for the stance that would be taken by the United Kingdom in its response should China attempt to invade Taiwan?”
At the time, Johnson refused to rule anything out and said, “The United Kingdom remains determined to defend international law and that is the strong advice we would give to our friends across the world, and the srong advice that we would give to the government in Beijing.”
The UK has already sent the Royal Navy into the region to accompany Japanese, Australia and US warships where they have been conducting training drills.
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