China-US relations are on a tightrope

Chinese state and party leadership warns the US against entering into formal trade talks with Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic.

China and the US continue to disagree over how to deal with the democratically-ruled island nation of Taiwan. As Su Zueting, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, explained: “The Taiwan issue is the most important, sensitive and central issue in China-US relations. The US side should abide by the agreements made with China in the past and not support “Taiwan independence”. It should also prudently manage Taiwan’s economic and trade relations and fully respect China’s core interests.”

China rejects trade talks that the United States and Taiwan want to start in early autumn. In fact, the governor of Indiana, in the middle of the crisis, visited Taiwan. Eric Holcomb even stated that he wants to build economic relations with both Taiwan and South Korea. He even plans to meet with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and sign a series of trade agreements.

Military exercises by both sides

More broadly, however, the trade talks are another sign of increased US support for Taiwan following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in early August. A move that did not agree with China at all. The People’s Republic accuses the US of interfering in the country’s internal affairs and wanting to break up China.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and is fighting for reunification, although historically Taiwan has never been part of the People’s Republic. Most countries around the world maintain diplomatic relations only with the People’s Republic of China and not with Taiwan, in accordance with the so-called “one China principle”. The leadership of the Chinese state, as well as the party, warns that further measures will be taken to defend China’s territorial integrity.

In the past two weeks, the Chinese military has conducted various military exercises in the air and at sea around Taiwan following the visit of several American politicians. On the other hand, Taiwan also started its own military exercises on Wednesday, showing off its most modern fighters.

DW, Reuters / Maria Rigoutsou

Source: Deutsche Welle

Source: Capital

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