Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has warned that China’s military exercises conducted by the Asian giant around the island suggest that it is »prepared to launch a war».
This is what he said during an interview with the American television network CNN, to which he pointed out that the Chinese authorities »seem to be preparing for a conflict». If we look at these military maneuvers we see that they are trying to launch a war,» he said.
»The Taiwanese government sees the Chinese military as a threat that cannot be accepted, and that is why we condemn it,» he said, before adding that Chinese leaders »will have to think twice before using force against Taiwan. »No matter whether it is in 2025 or 2027 or even later, Taiwan must be prepared at all times,» he said.
During this week’s military exercises, the Chinese Navy has conducted mock attacks with fighter jets deployed from an aircraft carrier. The maneuvers were launched on Saturday, a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen returned from her 10-day tour of Central American countries and her visit to the United States, where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other U.S. congressmen.
Beijing has described these exercises as a clear »warning to Taiwan’s separatist forces and those seeking to interfere in Taiwan’s internal affairs» and reiterated the importance of »defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity».
Asked about the political cost of Tsai’s visit to the United States, Wu qualified that China »cannot dictate how Taiwan makes friends». They can’t dictate the support they want to give us,» he said.
As tensions rise between China and the United States over Taiwan, U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that Washington will defend the island militarily »if necessary,» although the Administration has stressed that it adheres to the »one China» principle.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
