This Thursday, January 11, 2024, China called on the United States not to “ not get involved » of the presidential election in Taiwan, saying “ firmly opposed » to the links between Taipei and Washington, which announced the sending of a delegation to the island after the election. This decision greatly displeases Beijing.
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The United States must not “ not interfere in the Taiwan region’s elections in any form to avoid seriously damaging China-US relations “, indicated Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Furthermore, Beijing has called “ serious danger » the favorite of the poll, the outgoing vice-president Lai Ching-te, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP): “ If he (Lai Ching-te) comes to power, he will continue to promote separatist activities related to Taiwan independence “, which is ” a harmful path », Estimated a spokesperson for the Chinese office responsible for relations with the island, Chen Binhua.
Of all the areas of tension between the two superpowers, the status of Taiwan is perhaps the most explosive. Beijing considers Taiwan to be an integral part of its territory. The United States, for their part, refuses that status quo be broken by force.
Xi Jinping wants China to be “reunified”
These exchanges a few days before the elections in Taiwan are not new. This is a skirmish between the two powers which each reaffirm their positions. Because if Washington has recognized Beijing to the detriment of Taipei since 1979, the American Congress has at the same time imposed the provision of arms to Taiwan, with the stated aim of dissuading China from any expansionist desire.
The United States will send an informal delegation, after warning Beijing against any “act provocative » at the end of this crucial election. This is not the first time that the United States has sent representatives to Taiwan, each time generating an increase in tensions with China. The peak was reached with the visit to Taipei of the former president of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in August 2022. Beijing responded by organizing military exercises simulating a blockade of the island.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has never wavered in his speeches: Taiwan will be reunified with the continent, it is only a matter of time. Now it’s a question of when, and above all, how. And it is on these points that the United States is monitoring Beijing’s actions.
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