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China Makes Threat After U.S. Arms Deal with Taiwan

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Beijing, China – China has issued a stern warning following the U.S. approval of a $2 billion arms deal with Taiwan, which includes the sale of the advanced National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The deal, announced on Saturday, marks Taiwan’s first acquisition of the cutting-edge air defense system, sparking immediate outrage from Beijing.

The NASAMS system, known for its effectiveness in intercepting short- and medium-range missiles, gained prominence after its deployment in Ukraine, where it played a pivotal role in countering Russian missile threats. Taiwan’s acquisition of this technology is seen as a significant enhancement to its military capabilities.

In response to the deal, China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S., stating, “China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the U.S.” The ministry emphasized that the country would implement “resolute countermeasures” to safeguard its national sovereignty and security.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry reacted to China’s threats by asserting its commitment to self-defense. “In the face of China’s threats, Taiwan is duty-bound to protect its homeland and will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself,” a spokesperson said.

China’s state-run Global Times accused the U.S. of exploiting the situation for economic gain, claiming that the arms deal was part of an American strategy to “economically extort Taiwan” while benefiting U.S. arms dealers. The publication sought to downplay the significance of NASAMS, asserting that it would have a “limited role” in Taiwan’s air defense and would not pose a threat to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

China’s Xi Accused the U.S. of Trying to Trick Him Into Invading Taiwan, but Said He Won’t Take the Bait, Report Says

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China’s leader, Xi Jinping, accused the US of trying to trick China into invading Taiwan but said his country wouldn’t take the bait, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The FT said Xi made the accusation in April last year during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Xi has issued the same warning to officials in his own country, one person told the FT, but this is first known case of him making the claim to a foreign leader, the outlet said.

During the meeting, according to a press statement released at the time, Xi said Taiwan was at the “core” of China’s interests, adding: “If anyone expects China to compromise and concede on the Taiwan question, they are having a pipe dream and would shoot themselves in the foot.”

Xi’s accusation against the US wasn’t featured in the statement. (Read more from “China’s Xi Accused the U.S. of Trying to Trick Him Into Invading Taiwan, but Said He Won’t Take the Bait, Report Says” HERE)

‘Make Their Lives Utterly Miserable’: Top US Commander Outlines ‘Hellscape’ Response If China Invades Taiwan

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A top U.S. naval commander outlined a “hellscape” American response if China decides to invade Taiwan in an interview with The Washington Post published Monday.

The U.S. maintains a position of “strategic ambiguity” when it comes to Taiwan, not committing to whether it would militarily defend the island in the event of a Chinese incursion. But Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, the new chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), told the Post in an interview that there is a plan to deter China by ensuring that Beijing understands the “utterly miserable” consequences it could suffer if it does launch an incursion.

“[China wants] to offer the world a short, sharp war so that it is a fait accompli before the world can get their act together,” Paparo told the Post. “My job is to ensure that between now and 2027 and beyond, the U.S. military and the allies are capable of prevailing.”

China views Taiwan as a rogue territory that needs to be reunited with the mainland and condemns other countries that view the island as independent. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the country’s military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.

The U.S. strategy in stopping China from launching an invasion is called “Hellscape,” Paparo told the Post. As soon as Chinese forces start moving toward Taiwan, the U.S. military would launch thousands of unmanned surface ships, aerial drones and submarines to surround the island. This would give the U.S., Taiwan and its regional partners enough time to coalesce for a bigger response, Paparo said. . .

“I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape using a number of classified capabilities,” Paparo told the Post. “So that I can make their lives utterly miserable for a month, which buys me the time for the rest of everything.” (Read more from “‘Make Their Lives Utterly Miserable’: Top US Commander Outlines ‘Hellscape’ Response If China Invades Taiwan” HERE)

China Launches Two Days of ‘Punishment’ Military Drills Around Taiwan

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The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China on Thursday launched two days of aggressive military drills around Taiwan, including flights by armed warplanes and simulated attacks on the island.

The PLA described the drills as “strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces.”

This was presumably a reference to the inauguration on Monday of Taiwan’s new president, William Lai Ching-te. Lai succeeded two-term President Tsai Ing-wen, also a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and also denounced by China as a “separatist.”

Communist China attempted to intimidate the Taiwanese out of voting for Lai, and, when that failed, it howled that his largely conciliatory inaugural speech was a “confession of Taiwan independence” by a “dangerous separatist.”

In one passage from his speech, Lai advised China to “face up to the fact that the Republic of Taiwan exists.” Many observers felt this was the line that enraged Beijing. (Read more from “China Launches Two Days of ‘Punishment’ Military Drills Around Taiwan” HERE)

China Imposes Sanctions on Two Major American Defense Companies over U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

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China has announced sanctions against two major American defense companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, further escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan violated agreements between the two countries and interfered with China’s internal affairs. The ministry emphasized that such actions undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling the sales a violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of past China-U.S. joint communiqués.

Effective from April 11, 2024, China has imposed sanctions on General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, targeting their senior management and freezing their assets within China. General Dynamics, which operates aviation services in China and manufactures the Abrams tank, faces repercussions for its involvement in the arms sales.

This move by China follows similar sanctions imposed last year on Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Missiles & Defense after their involvement in shooting down a suspected spy balloon flying over U.S. military installations.

Taiwan remains a contentious issue between the U.S. and China, with the former maintaining unofficial diplomatic ties with the island nation. Despite switching official recognition to Beijing in 1979, the U.S. continues to support Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression.

In recent years, China has intensified its military activities around Taiwan, heightening tensions in the region. The latest sanctions coincide with a visit by the Japanese prime minister to Washington, during which both the U.S. and Japan reiterated their positions on the Taiwan issue.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated China’s stance on the Taiwan question, emphasizing that it is a domestic affair and urging the U.S. and Japan to refrain from interference. She called for concrete actions from the U.S. to align with President Biden’s commitment not to support “Taiwan independence.”

Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 4 in Taiwan, Causing Buildings to Collapse, Small Tsunami in Japan

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At least four people were killed and dozens more injured when a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan early Wednesday morning.

The quake, which rocked the island just before 8 a.m. local time, downed buildings in Taiwan’s eastern city of Hualien and caused a small tsunami on the coast of Japan’s Yonaguni island, officials said.

The deaths were reported in Hualien, which was the epicenter of the earthquake — the strongest one to hit Taiwan in 25 years, according to the country’s fire department.

At least three of the dead were believed to have been crushed to death by rocks falling from the mountainside.

More than 50 were wounded, according to the country’s fire department. (Read more from “Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 4 in Taiwan, Causing Buildings to Collapse, Small Tsunami in Japan” HERE)

Weapons Problem Increases Likelihood Taiwan Could Soon Be Invaded by China

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A number of factors seemingly converging at the same time are increasing the likelihood that Taiwan could soon be invaded.

For starters, Taiwan elected Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as their next president last week, who has vowed to keep the island nation independent from communist China. This comes despite China’s warnings that Taiwan will be reunited with it either through elections or through the Chinese military invading the country. . .

Those fears are like to surge even further given a new report from The Wall Street Journal this week that warns that billions of dollars worth of American weapons that Taiwan needs to defend itself from Chinese invasion have not been delivered and could still be years away from arriving.

“Most contracts for defense equipment signed under both the Trump and Biden administrations have been stalled by bureaucratic delays and capacity limits at defense manufacturers, creating a $19 billion backlog of uncompleted orders” the report said. (Read more from “Weapons Problem Increases Likelihood Taiwan Could Soon Be Invaded by China” HERE)

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Taiwanese Voters Defy China, Elect Pro-Independence Leader for Third Term

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In a historic move that reverberates across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese voters made a resounding statement by electing Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as their next president, marking the first time a political party in Taiwan has secured a third consecutive term. The DPP, known for its commitment to political independence from China, emerged victorious despite China’s warnings of reunification through elections or military intervention.

Lai Ching-te, addressing his supporters after the win, declared, “This is a night that belongs to Taiwan. We managed to keep Taiwan on the map of the world.” He emphasized the significance of the election in showcasing the Taiwanese people’s commitment to democracy and expressed hope for China’s understanding.

China’s response was swift and assertive, with a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisting that Taiwan’s status as part of China remains unchanged, regardless of election outcomes. The spokesperson reaffirmed the one-China principle as a cornerstone for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, urging the international community to oppose any moves towards Taiwan independence.

The DPP secured over 40 percent of the vote, while the Kuomintang political party and the Taiwan People’s Party garnered one-third and just over a quarter of the vote, respectively. Notably, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party maintain friendlier ties with China compared to the DPP. Despite the DPP’s victory in the presidential race, the party lost control of the legislature, resulting in a fragmented political landscape with no single party holding sway over the island’s government.

Lai Ching-te characterized his win as a “victory for the community of democracies” against authoritarian regimes, particularly alluding to China. He pledged to govern in accordance with Taiwan’s democratic constitutional order while maintaining a balanced cross-strait status quo. At the same time, he emphasized the determination to safeguard Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China.

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China Warns Ahead of Election It Will ‘Smash Any Taiwan Independence Plots’

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The Chinese Defense Ministry on Friday sought to bully Taiwanese voters by warning it will “smash any Taiwan independence plots,” implicitly threatening the Taiwanese if they make the “wrong” choice by voting for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate William Lai Ching-te on Saturday.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Taiwan’s purchase of upgraded U.S. F-16 fighter jets would not “stop the trend of complete reunification of the motherland.”

“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army remains on high alert at all times and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist plots and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhang said.

China has previously framed the Taiwanese election as a choice between “peace and prosperity” versus “war and decline.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday refused to answer questions about Taiwan’s elections, describing them as “China’s internal affairs.” (Read more from “China Warns Ahead of Election It Will ‘Smash Any Taiwan Independence Plots’” HERE)

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In the past 20 years, we’ve garnered hundreds of thousands of monthly views, expanded our influence with engaging articles, and delivered exclusive content every week. However, the journey to safeguard liberty online comes with its challenges. As pioneers, we faced the adversity of being one of the first political websites nationwide to be demonetized by Google.

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China Dismisses Taiwanese Concern Over Spy Balloons

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China’s state-run Global Times on Thursday mocked Taiwanese and U.S. media for being concerned about “harmless weather balloons flying over the island.”

Three such balloons made an unusual transit over the middle of Taiwan Island on Monday and Tuesday, coming close to a Taiwanese airbase. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry merely stated it would “closely monitor” the balloons, and all other objects that enter Taiwanese airspace.

The Global Times accused media outlets in Taiwan and the United States of “sensationalizing” the balloons and “hyping” the threat they could pose. Nowhere in the article did anyone explain why Chinese balloons were suddenly floating over the middle of Taiwan two weeks before a crucial election.

The Chinese Communist Party paper was especially furious at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) because it dared to mention that Taiwan might be thinking back to the Chinese spy balloon debacle over the United States in February 2023.

The WSJ further speculated that even if the balloons over Taiwan were indeed harmless meteorological devices, they could still be part of China’s efforts to intimidate the Taiwanese out of voting for candidates Beijing dislikes in their upcoming election. (Read more from “China Dismisses Taiwanese Concern Over Spy Balloons” HERE)

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