China and the United States deployed military forces to the area around Taiwan on August 1, following China’s threat of a military attack on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.California)’s proposal to visit Taiwan.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced It reported through state media that it would deploy troops for live-fire exercises in waters north of Taiwan between mainland China and South Korea. The exercise is the latest in a series of consecutive Chinese exercises in the region. However, the announcement was notable in that it was accompanied by footage of his D-17 hypersonic missile in China.
Dubbed the “Aircraft Carrier Killer,” the D-17 is a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a hypersonic glider that glides its payload at high speed through low orbit before landing on its target.picture release This week marks the first time live fire records for weapons have been released.
usa announced They were trying to get carrier strike groups and air support closer to Taiwan. USS Ronald Reagan is normally stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, and last week she returned to the South China Sea after a five-day port call in Singapore.
Pelosi visits Taiwan
Pelosi is currently touring Indo-Pacific countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. But what makes the visit remarkable is her plan to visit Taiwan, which has been the target of military harassment and intimidation by the CCP for years.
Taiwanese media reported that an unnamed Taiwanese official Confirmed Pelosi is likely to stop by Taiwan on August 2nd or 3rd.
Chinese regime Said On Aug. 1, if Pelosi visited the island, its troops would “not sit idly by”. threatened If President Pelosi visits the United States, it will need to take “strong measures” against the United States and Taiwan. Just one day after his threats, US President Joe Biden said the military didn’t think the visit was “a good idea.”
An analysis of the statement makes it unclear whether Biden himself believed Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was a bad idea based on military intelligence, or whether he was simply repeating the warnings given by military leaders. did.
Pelosi then said Biden could have meant that the military feared China would shoot down her plane.
Since then, Chinese state media have threatened that China should do just that.
“If U.S. fighters escort Pelosi’s plane to Taiwan, it’s an invasion.” Said Hu Shijing, former editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, tweeted:
“[China’s military] It has the right to force Pelosi’s planes and U.S. fighters away, which includes warning shots and tactical movements of jamming. If it doesn’t work, shoot it down. ”
The tweet has since been removed by Twitter for promoting violence.
The tweet is the latest in a list of increasingly belligerent and sometimes overtly hostile rhetoric emanating from Beijing, with security experts questioning the Chinese Communist Party’s position on the world stage. suggesting that it betrays the deep unease among the leadership of the
Similarly, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping said in a telephone call with Biden last week that the United States was “playing with fire” if it continued its relationship with Taiwan.
In another instance, China’s defense minister threatened to “start a war at all costs” to prevent the world from recognizing Taiwan’s independence.
US Support Solidifies Around Pelosi
Despite continued threats from the Chinese Communist Party, American leaders and celebrities are uniting in support of Pelosi and her visit to Taiwan. Additionally, Pentagon leadership has made it clear that Beijing’s threats will never be allowed to affect the free movement of elected U.S. officials.
“We should not be intimidated by its rhetoric or potential actions.” Said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby during an interview with CNN.
“This is an important trip for the Chair and we will do everything we can to support her.”
The Chinese Communist Party, which currently rules mainland China as a one-party dictatorship, claims Taiwan is an independent province. However, Taiwan has been self-governing since her 1949 and has remained de facto independent without being ruled by the Chinese Communist Party.
The United States, acknowledging China’s views, does not maintain a formal relationship with Taiwan, but has a legal obligation to supply Taiwan with weapons for self-defense. Regarding the risk of a Chinese island invasion, the United States maintains a policy of so-called “strategic ambiguity” that does not publicly admit whether it will defend Taiwan militarily.
To that end, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen pledged to protect Taiwan from CCP aggression and to protect Taiwan’s democratic way of life and thriving market economy.
Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda, Pelosi’s visit is inconsistent with US policy and the long-standing reality of informal relations between the United States and Taiwan. Members of Congress regularly visit Taiwan to discuss myriad issues. The last time a Senate delegation visited Taiwan was in July.
Foreign policy experts see the CCP’s hostile rhetoric as an attempt to influence U.S. policy and behavior in ways that benefit the CCP’s long-term ambitions.
“President Biden must fully support this visit.” Said Tweet by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“Don’t be weak and give in to the demands of the petty warmongers and dictators in Beijing. Support the freedom-loving people of Taiwan.”
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Andrew Thornebrooke is a reporter for the Epoch Times covering China-related issues with a focus on defense, military and national security. He has an MA in Military History from Norwich University.