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Tag: taiwan

  • Beijing Fuels Crisis in East & South China Seas

    Beijing Fuels Crisis in East & South China Seas

    China musters the support of Russia to spar a new crisis in the region. China often violates the territorial waters of countries in the East China & South China Seas. But sighting a Russian frigate in the disputed waters is not so frequent. The presence of Chinese and Russian frigates in the region raises the suspicion of military activity in the region. However, the 4th July incident may have been prompted in a bid to avoid a typhoon … reports Dr Sakariya Kareem

    On July 4, Japan protested to Beijing after spotting Chinese and Russian warships just outside its territorial waters around the disputed East China Sea islands. Japan’s Defense Ministry asserted that Chinese frigate sailed inside the “contiguous zone”, just outside Japanese territorial waters around Senkaku islands, for several minutes. Beijig also claims Senkaku islands as part of its territory and calls it Diaoyu.

    China Russia flag. (Credit: Wikimedia commons)

    China often violates the territorial waters of countries in the East China & South China Seas. But sighting a Russian frigate in the disputed waters is not so frequent. The presence of Chinese and Russian frigates in the region raises the suspicion of military activity in the region. However, the 4th July incident may have been prompted in a bid to avoid a typhoon.

    Nevertheless, Japan lodged a protest expressing “grave concern” to Beijing over the incident. It claimed, “The Senkaku islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory historically and under international law. The government will deal with the matter calmly but firmly to protect the Japanese land, territorial waters and air space.” However, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted that the activities of Chinese vessels in waters nearby are lawful and justified.”

    Japan views China’s increasingly assertive military activity in the East and South China Seas as a threat to regional stability. This was the fourth such incursion in Japan claimed waters and territory, since 2016, precisely in the contiguous zone, which is between the territorial sea and wider exclusive economic zone.

    Earlier in the month of May 2022 also, Tokyo had protested against Chinese and Russian vessels operating off the disputed Senkaku islands. In fact, China’s expansionist moves and military activities in the East China Sea have been persisting for quite some time. Earlier in 2021, Japanese Defense Ministry white paper had expressed its serious concern over Chinese Coast Guard activities in the East China Sea, Defense Minister of Japan Nobuko Kishi had pointed out towards the “problematic provisions” in Beijing’s draconian Coast Guard Law which empowers the Chinese Coast Guard personnel to “demolish” other countries’ structures built on China – claimed reefs and to board and inspect vessels in waters claimed by China.

    Two intertwined territorial disputes in the East China Sea currently persist between China and Japan. The first dispute concerns sovereignty issues regarding the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. The islands are administered by Japan but claimed by China, Japan does not recognise the existence of a territorial dispute. The second dispute concerns maritime delimitation in the East China Sea. The 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ), which is calculated from the baseline of the coast of the two countries overlap over a vast stretch of sea. The problem is eluding resolution due to China’s scant respect for international conventions.

    Countries in East & South China Seas region are concerned over the unilateralism of China and its scant regard for international laws and conventions. They are trying to increase patrolling and defense preparedness while the United States is making efforts to ensure free and seamless mercantile movement in the region and contain Chinaese military activities by developing alliances with other countries.   

    China’s military expansionism includes accelerated efforts to build up military capabilities, which may lead to geopolitical instability in the East and South China Sea region. The other regional countries, nevertheless, are aiming at safeguarding their territorial integrity and sovereignty by promoting multilateralism, free mercantile movement, peace, stability and prosperity. Quad, an alliance including the US, Japan, Australia and India agreed in their recent summit in Tokyo in May 2022 to launch a satellite-based maritime security initiative aimed at a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    The benefit of Quad’s agreement on maritime security can help even small countries of the South China Sea region to safeguard their sovereignty and economic interests. China is flexing its muscles even with small countries like Philippines and it imposed (April 2022) a three month ban on fishing in the waters where Philippines claims to have sovereign rights and jurisdiction since long. As China continued with its unilateralism by banning fishing in Filipino waters, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs registered a diplomatic protest (May 2022) against the Chinese ban. China had also attacked Vietnamese fishing and other vessels beginning 2013-14 and more frequently since 2019-20. Vietnam has registered its protest. However, Chinese belligerence continues.     

  • US watching China very closely on Taiwan: US top general

    US watching China very closely on Taiwan: US top general


    China has been sending scores of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence zone, while the US has sent naval ships through Taiwan’s waters…reports Asian Lite News

    A Chinese attack on Taiwan is not imminent, the top US general says, but the US is watching “very closely”, BBC reported.

    China is clearly developing the capability to attack at some point, but deciding to do so would be a political choice, Gen Mark Milley told the BBC.

    China says Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be re-unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

    It has accused the US of supporting Taiwan’s independence, and vowed to “resolutely crush” any such attempt.

    There has been a marked escalation recently between China and the US – Taiwan’s most powerful ally.

    China has been sending scores of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence zone, while the US has sent naval ships through Taiwan’s waters.

    In May, US President Joe Biden said China was “flirting with danger” by flying its warplanes close to Taiwan. He vowed to protect the island militarily if it was attacked.

    Beijing retorted by accusing the US of “violating its promise on Taiwan” and “interfering” in China’s affairs, adding the country “would not hesitate to fight” to prevent Taiwan from formally declaring independence.

    Asked whether he thought China would attack Taiwan, Gen Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, told the BBC, “Could, should, would, those are key words there. In terms of capability I think China clearly is developing a capability. President Xi [Jinping] has mentioned that in public forums, he’s mentioned it in speeches, that he has challenged the PLA [China’s People’s Liberation Army] to develop the capability to attack Taiwan at some point in time.

    “And whether they would or not, it’s a political choice, it’s a policy choice, that will be based off of how the Chinese view the cost risk benefit at the time.”

    “There’s no indications or warnings of anything imminent at this time. But again, we watch it very, very closely,” Gen Milley added, BBC reported.

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  • Truss urges govt to supply defensive weapons to Taiwan

    Truss urges govt to supply defensive weapons to Taiwan

    China warned about the danger of sending the “wrong signal” to Taiwanese “separatists,” as it accused the US of interference…reports Asian Lite News

    Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Wednesday suggested supplying defensive weaponry to Taiwan to counter China’s aggression well in advance to prevent a Ukraine war-like scenario. She renewed her calls for NATO to “make clear to China” that invading Taiwan like Russia invaded Ukraine would be “a catastrophic miscalculation” in Asia.

    She suggested that the Alliance must boost security in the Indo-Pacific region in order to protect Taiwan against China well in advance. She had also earlier echoed similar statements during a speech on the UK’s foreign policy conference, asserting that Britain rejects “the false choice between Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific security” in favour of “a global NATO.”

    Truss’ suggestion comes as China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian reiterated Beijing’s concerns about US intervention in Taiwan, a threat to its ‘one China’ policy and urged that it ceases all official interaction with the self-administered island nation. China warned about the danger of sending the “wrong signal” to Taiwanese “separatists,” as it accused the US of interference.

    Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had warned of a Ukraine-like invasion in East Asia, saying that the whole region could witness a stability issue due to rising military might of China, Russia’s ally. The Taiwan Strait must be maintained, Kishida said, adding that the countries in East Asia must respond as “one” and remain united in the face of the rising belligerence.

    Speaking earlier in London via a translator Kishida said, “Collaboration among countries sharing universal values becomes ever more vital.” We must collaborate with our allies and like-minded countries, and never tolerate a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by the use of force in the Indo Pacific, especially in East Asia,” said the Japanese Prime Minister. “Ukraine may be East Asia tomorrow,” he warned.

    His remarks came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi challenged the United States for interfering in the Taiwan issue, and warned against bolstering ties with the island nation. Yi accused US President Joe Biden of trying to “establish a new version of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the Indo-Pacific region.”

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  • Will fight to the very end for Taiwan: China

    Will fight to the very end for Taiwan: China

    The Minister’s remarks, which came just weeks after US President Joe Biden said Washington would respond “militarily’ if China attacked Taiwan, capped a weekend of confrontational exchanges…reports Asian Lite News

    Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday accused the US of being a “bully” and “hijacking” countries around the region, and said Beijing would “fight to the very end” to stop Taiwanese independence.

    He made the remarks while addressing the ongoing 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier defence summit.

    On a question regarding Taiwan, Wei said that “Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair”, reports Xinhua news agency.

    “China will definitely realise its reunification.”

    Those who pursue “Taiwan independence in an attempt to split China will definitely come to no good end, and foreign interference is doomed to failure”, he said.

    “If anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight, we will fight at all costs,” Wei added.

    The Minister’s remarks, which came just weeks after US President Joe Biden said Washington would respond “militarily’ if China attacked Taiwan, capped a weekend of confrontational exchanges between the American and Chinese military chiefs, CNN reported.

    Wei also called out US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who had told the Summit a day earlier that China was engaged in coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions that threatened to “undermine security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”.

    Austin had also talked about US coalition-building in the region and its joint military exercises with Japan, Australia, India and Indonesia, but Wei said this was a kind of “power politics” that China rejected.

    “No one and no country should impose its will on others, or bully others under the guise of multilateralism. We notice Secretary Austin’s remarks on the US Indo-Pacific strategy.

    “To us, the strategy is an attempt to build an exclusive, small group in the name of a free and open Indo-Pacific, to hijack countries in our region and target one specific country. It is a strategy to create conflict,” he added.

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  • ‘Refrain from destablizing actions towards Taiwan’: US warns China

    ‘Refrain from destablizing actions towards Taiwan’: US warns China

    US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met with his Chinese counterpart Gen. Wei Fenghe during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, reports Asian Lite News

    On the sidelines of the annual Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore during an interaction on Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned his Chinese counterpart that Beijing must “refrain from further destabilizing actions towards Taiwan”.

    According to The Hill, Austin met with his Chinese counterpart Gen. Wei Fenghe during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Pentagon stated in a statement, adding that he reiterated that the US remains committed to the longstanding one-China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.

    “The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan,” it added.

    However, under the “One China” policy, the US does not recognize Taiwan as a separate state from China, and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 commits the US to provide Taiwan with arms for its defence, The Hill reported.

    Tensions have grown in a severe manner between the US and China over Taiwan amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    US President Joe Biden stoked tensions during his first trip to Asia as president in May when he said that the US would be willing to defend Taiwan if China tried to invade. Two days later, China conducted a military drill near Taiwan.

    The Wall Street Journal also reported last month that the defence chiefs were planning to meet during the dialogue, though nothing had been set in stone. Austin and Wei last spoke to each other by phone in April, which was the first conversation between the two officials.

    On April 20, Austin and Wei spoke for about 45 minutes, marking the first time a US Defense Secretary had spoken to his Chinese counterpart since the Trump administration more than a year earlier.

    Austin has repeatedly described China as the “pacing challenge” for the Defense Department and said that the Indo-Pacific region is the priority for the United States, even with Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

    The already tense relationship between Washington and Beijing boiled over earlier this week when a US congressional delegation visited Taiwan.

    Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades.

    Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that “Taiwan’s independence” means war.

    It is to be noted that China on Monday also sent 30 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone, the highest daily figure in four months. (ANI)

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  • ‘NATO should protect Taiwan too’

    ‘NATO should protect Taiwan too’

    According to Politico, the British foreign secretary’s speech echoes a message issued by the UK PM security conference in Germany in February…reports Asian Lite News

    Underlining the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, British foreign secretary Liz Truss has said that the UK and its partner countries need to pre-empt threats in the region to ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves.

    “I mean that NATO must have a global outlook, ready to tackle global threats,” Truss said in a speech on UK’s foreign policy on Wednesday night.

    “We need to pre-empt threats in the Indo-Pacific, working with our allies like Japan and Australia to ensure the Pacific is protected. And we must ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves,” she added.

    She said the Boris Johnson government “are correcting a generation of underinvestment.”

    “That’s why the Prime Minister has announced the biggest investment in our Armed Forces since the Cold War. We recognised Russia as the most acute threat in our Integrated Review, adopting the same vigilance as NATO’s Eastern Allies,” Truss said.

    According to Politico, the British foreign secretary’s speech echoes a message issued by the UK PM security conference in Germany in February.

    Truss’ remarks come as NATO members are discussing the alliance’s new “strategic concept,” which outlines the bloc’s mission. This is due to be agreed upon at the next summit in Madrid later this year.

    This summit will come in the backdrop of longing discussion among the NATO members on security threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific.

    ‘Russia-Ukraine war could last 10 years’

    russ has said that the Russia-Ukraine war could last as long as 10 years. Speaking at a foreign policy event dinner on Wednesday, she warned the West, that if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds “there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe”. Ms Truss indicated that the war in Ukraine could be a long drawn out affair and that Europe “must be prepared for the long haul”.

    Government officials in the UK are worried that Putin will launch attacks on the countries of Georgia and Moldova if he is allowed to keep Ukrainian territory. Liz truss in her speech called Putin a “desperate rogue operator” whose aggression should be met with resistance. She added that Great Britain and its allies should “keep going further and faster to push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine”.

    Lizz Truss was speaking at an event right after several civilian funerals in Ukraine, including one for a three-month-old girl. Ms Truss argued that the Ukraine crisis must be used as a catalyst to completely overhaul the way the West looks and approaches international security. For the UK, this involves building strategic alliances around the world and to use economic power to deter aggressors, she said, adding that the G7 countries, who account for more than 50 per cent of global net wealth must act as an “economic NATO” and defend collective prosperity.

    The EU has imposed a wide array of sanctions on Russia, but still continues to be reliant on Russia for energy purposes.

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  • “Taiwan will eventually return to arms of the motherland”

    “Taiwan will eventually return to arms of the motherland”

    Wang also said that China will firmly defend national sovereignty against the backdrop of increasing US pressure and is ready to take all possible measures to this end….reports Asian Lite News

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Taiwan is an integral part of China and will eventually return “to the arms of the motherland”.

    “Taiwan will eventually return to the arms of the motherland,” he said at a press conference.

    He recalled that some forces in the US, in order to contain China, encourage those who advocate Taiwan independence, thereby challenging the “one China” principle, RT reported.

    “Attempts to use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to failure,” RIA Novosti quoted the Minister as saying.

    Wang also said that China will firmly defend national sovereignty against the backdrop of increasing US pressure and is ready to take all possible measures to this end.

    In February, China decided to take countermeasures against the US over arms sales to Taiwan that would target Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies.

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  • Vedanta Foxconn partner to make semiconductors in India

    Vedanta Foxconn partner to make semiconductors in India

    Though New Delhi and Taipei have no diplomatic ties at present, India is one of the 18 countries under its New Southbound Policy” that Taiwan is looking to expand its ties with…reports Mahua Venkatesh

    At a time when global shortage of semi-conductors has hit production of electronic items including smartphones and vehicles, the newly inked joint venture between the Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta and Hon Hai Technology Group — better known as Foxconn Technology Group — to manufacture semiconductors in India naturally had grabbed headlines.

    While this is expected to give a push to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s production-linked incentive (PLI) plan, it is also seen by many as a move that would further expand collaboration between India and Taiwan, which is a key player in the global supply chain network.

    The joint venture also gives shape to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s “New Southbound Policy” and Modi’s Act East Policy.

    “India is quietly but aggressively deepening its economic ties with Taiwan, there could be many more such investment announcements in the offing,” an insider told India Narrative.

    Though New Delhi and Taipei have no diplomatic ties at present, India is one the 18 countries under its New Southbound Policy” that Taiwan is looking to expand its ties with.

    “The investment would be considered a win for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which aims to create an ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing in India,” Taipei Times said in a report.

    Last year, the Centre gave its nod for a Rs 76,000 crore PLI scheme aimed at developing the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.

    India has been solely relying on imports of this critical component that forms a key raw material for almost all electronic items.

    Senior government officials of both countries pointed out the need to expand bilateral relations “based on mutual interests.”

    “Taiwan is a developed economy and a powerhouse of technology and we must establish good relations with the country,” the late Shakti Sinha, a former bureaucrat and director at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International had told India Narrative in an interview.

    Invest India, meanwhile, in its assessment said that India’s semiconductor demand at present, is valued around $ 24 billion but by 2025, the market is expected to touch $ 100 billion.

    Demand for semi-conductor has increased significantly with the rise in usage of mobile phones and computers. The advent of 5G technology will push demand further.

    Invest India, the nodal body facilitating investments in the country, noted that the shortage of semi conductor amid the Covid 19 pandemic and the new geopolitical realities further exacerbate the need to develop trusted and reliable sources for chip manufacturing.

    It has also set up a new mechanism under the umbrella ‘Taiwan Plus’ to help and handhold Taiwanese companies set up shop here.

    Besides Foxconn, several other Taiwanese contract manufacturers including Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have also set up their manufacturing facilities in India. According to a Reuters report, these companies have drawn up plans to plough in $900 million in India over the next five years to tap into the government’s production-linked incentive plan.

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  • China irked by US-Taiwan $100 mn arms deal

    China irked by US-Taiwan $100 mn arms deal

    Zhao said China will take necessary and effective measures to protect its sovereignty and ensure its security….reports Asian Lite News

    China on Tuesday warned the United States against a USD 100 million deal on weapons supply to Taiwan and said that Beijing will take necessary actions to protect its sovereignty.

    The United States has approved a possible USD 100 million sales of equipment and services to Taiwan to “sustain” and “improve” the Patriot missile defence system used by the self-governing island.

    “China strongly protests and condemns this action,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a briefing, adding that the US should “withdraw” this proposal immediately.

    Zhao said China will take necessary and effective measures to protect its sovereignty and ensure its security.

    The development comes at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan are heightened. The relations between China and the US have also deteriorated in recent issues concerning human rights, coronavirus pandemic and trade.

    US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Monday said it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale requested by Taiwan’s TECRO.

    “This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region,” the statement read.

    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the statement added.

    Meanwhile, Taiwan has welcomed the US move to approve USD 100 million arms sales.

    “We welcome @StateDept’s approval of a USD100 million arms sale to Taiwan. The decision demonstrates the US government’s commitment to the #TaiwanRelationsAct & #SixAssurances. It also supports the maintenance of our defensive capabilities, as well as regional peace & stability,” said Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    China has repeatedly threatened Taiwan with invasion and has adopted an aggressive policy to intimidate the self-governing island. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: US nod for $100mn arms sale to bolster Taiwan defence

  • Chinese planes breached Taiwan airspace 24 times in January

    Chinese planes breached Taiwan airspace 24 times in January

    In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defense assets to monitor the planes…reports Asian Lite News

    Five Chinese military planes entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, marking the 24th intrusion this month.

    Three People’s Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, one Shenyang J-16D electronic warfare plane, and one Shaanxi KJ-500 early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), Taiwan News reported.

    In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defense assets to monitor the planes.

    China has sent planes into Taiwan’s identification zone every day this month except for on January 3, 9, 16, 21, 22, 26, and 29, Taiwan News reported.

    It further reported “Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ, with most occurrences taking place in the southwest corner. In 2021, China military planes entered the ADIZ on 961 instances over 239 days,” according to the MND.

    Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force,” Taiwan News reported.

    Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades.

    Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that “Taiwan’s independence” means war.

    Last week, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi had discussed security and economic issues as well as China with Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te during a virtual meeting that lasted for about 30 minutes.

    Taiwan’s representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim said that after the meeting held on Friday said that the bilateral talks lasted for about 30 minutes and the discussions touched on security issues, economic affairs, and shared values, Focus Taiwan reported.

    Hsiao mentioned that Pelosi had expressed concern over the status and security in the Taiwan Strait as well as human rights in China ahead of Beijing’s hosting of the Winter Olympic Games in early February.

    2 PLA aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwest(Twitter)

    The US is staging a “diplomatic boycott” of the Beijing Games to be held on next Friday.

    Meanwhile, Pelosi has expressed her support for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations especially the World Health Organisation stating that Taipei’s participation is crucial based on its pandemic prevention response, local media reported.

    Hsiao Bi-khim said that Pelosi had personally expressed to the WHO Secretary-General that Taiwan should participate and that its inclusion in the organization is crucial based on its pandemic prevention response, reported Taiwan News. (ANI)

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