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Xi Jinping withdraws promise to not send troops to Taiwan. Is China preparing to invade the island nation?

Vivek MishraAugust 11, 2022 | 10:36 IST

A week after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit, tensions between China and the island nation continue. China on Wednesday (August 10) repeated military threats against Taiwan and withdrew the promise of not sending troops or administrators to Taiwan if it takes control of the island.

China's white paper on its position on self-ruled Taiwan comes after days of Chinese military exercises near the island.

The white paper, according to Reuters, signals a decision by President Xi Jinping to grant less autonomy to Taiwan than previously offered.

 

What does the white paper say: According to AP, the Chinese statement said: "Beijing would work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification."

"But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities," it said.

Change in stance: According to Reuters, China had said in two previous white papers on Taiwan, in 1993 and 2000, that it "will not send troops or administrative personnel to be based in Taiwan" after achieving what Beijing terms "reunification." That line, meant to assure Taiwan it would enjoy autonomy after becoming a special administrative region of China, did not appear in the latest white paper.

 

China's military drills and threats: For the last one week, China has been firing missiles and Chinese warships and air force planes have been entering into Taiwanese waters and airspace as part of a military drill which aims to threaten the island nation's autonomy.

Ballistic missiles were also fired over Taiwan's capital during the exercises last week, according to Chinese state media. Su Tseng-chang, Taiwan's premier, said China was "barbarously using military action" to disturb peace in the Taiwan Strait, reported AFP.

The actions have disrupted flights and shipping in the region crucial to global supply chains.

Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit: Despite China's warning to the US to not "play with fire", Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan on August 2. Pelosi became the highest-ranking US official in 25 years to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China.

Not only did she visit Taiwan, the 82-year-old also said that the visit honours America's commitment to supporting Taiwan's democracy.

What is the Taiwan issue? Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since 1949, but Beijing considers it part of its territory and wants the island to be reunified. China has not ruled out using military force to take it.

  • The US on many occasions has said that it will provide military support to Taiwan. Taiwan's 23 million people have long lived with the possibility of an invasion.
  • China views visits by US officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp on the island. Taiwan rejects China's claims on the country and says that only the Taiwanese people can decide the island's future.

What's next?  China’s military threats have driven concerns about a new crisis in the 140-kilometre Taiwan Strait. Though China may keep sending fighter jets and increase the military drills, it is highly unlikely that it is going to conquer Taiwan anytime soon. US has also increased its presence in the Indo-Pacific region to give Taiwan a sense of security.

Amid threats from China, Taiwanese army conducting military drills on Thursday. (AFP)
  • But that doesn't mean China can not or would not invade Taiwan. Experts say the drills have revealed an increasingly emboldened Chinese military capable of carrying out a gruelling blockade of the island as well as obstructing US forces from coming to its aid, reported AFP.
  • After repeated threats from China, Taiwan's army held a live-fire drill on Thursday. Lou Woei-jye, spokesman for Taiwan's Eighth Army Corps, told AFP its forces fired howitzers and target flares as part of the defensive drill on Thursday morning.
Last updated: August 11, 2022 | 12:01
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