The European Union has urged Taiwan for communication channels with China to be kept open to avoid miscalculation
The European Union (E.U.) has called for the tension between People’s Republic of China and Taiwan to be resolved through dialogue and for communication channels with China to be kept open to avoid miscalculation.
The tensions between China and Taiwan escalated after the Speaker of the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives – Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. In retaliation, China started large-scale military drills around the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The E.U. has an interest in preserving peace and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The E.U. has “a clear One China Policy,” recognising the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China while also pursuing “friendly relations and close cooperation with Taiwan”.
The unprecedented 6 days of military exercise will feature J-20 stealth fighter jets and test firing of conventional missiles. The State-run Xinhua News Agency reported the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would also conduct expanded live-fire exercises from August 4 to 7, 2022 in 6 different areas around the island.
However, Taiwan said that the drills violated United Nations (U.N.) rules, after China invaded its territorial space and amounted to a blockade of its air and sea.
Taking it to twitter, the Ministry of National Defence R.O.C. tweeted,
PRC announcing air-naval live-fire drills around Taiwan is self-evidently apparent that they seek a cross-strait resolution by force instead of peaceful means. Activities around our territory are closely monitored by #ROCMND and, will meet our appropriate responses when needed.
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) August 3, 2022
Pelosi is the first sitting speaker of the U.S. House to travel to Taiwan in 25 years. Beijing has threatened Taiwan with serious consequences over her visit to the island, which China claims as its own. Besides, China has also announced a series of trade restrictions, including a ban on sand exports and the import of certain foods.
The exercises are larger than those that took place in 1996 in the run-up to the re-election of President Lee Teng-hui, who had visited the U.S. the previous year.
The Eastern Theatre Command said a multi-force exercise involving the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Joint Logistics Support Force took place in the air and sea to the North, Southwest and Southeast of Taiwan. They practiced various exercises, including simulated sea and land attacks.
Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to take control of Taiwan and has increased military activity near the island in recent years, claiming the moves are a response to what it calls “collusion” between Taipei and Washington.
While maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, the U.S. is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Taiwan says only its people have the right to decide the island’s future.
