The governments of Japan and the United States could not remain inactive if China launched an attack on Taiwan and Beijing must understand this, said today the Japanese conservative nationalist politician, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Tensions around Taiwan have not stopped rising as Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterates Beijing’s position that the island is a secluded Chinese province destined to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary, while Taipei, though assures that he wants peace, says he will defend himself.
Speaking via video conference on a forum organized by the Taiwan Institute for National Policy Research, Mr. Abe said that the islands that Japan calls Senkaku – in China are called Diaoyu – are Sakisima and The Yonaguni Islands are just 100 miles[100 km]from Taiwan.
“If China invaded Taiwan, it would pose a very serious threat to Japan,” he said.
“If there is a state of emergency in Taiwan, it will also be a state of emergency for Japan, hence an emergency for the US-Japan alliance. The people of Beijing, especially President Xi Jinping, must understand this, they must not. never misunderstand “the attitude of the Japanese and American governments,” he added.
Japan hosts large US military bases, including one on the southern island of Okinawa, not far from Taiwan for aircraft, and would play a key role if the US were involved in military operations to support the island in the event of a Chinese attack.
The United States has legally pledged to provide Taiwan with means of defense, although there is doubt as to whether it would deploy forces on the island’s military in the event of an armed conflict with China.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said last month that Washington would take “action” – without specifying what it meant – if China unilaterally resorted to using force to change the status quo.
Mr Abe, who resigned as prime minister in 2020 citing health problems, remains the strongest leader in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (PDP) and maintains influence in the party.
Referring to Sino-Japanese relations, Shinzo Abe said that they should be developed but at the same time Tokyo should say to Beijing what should be said. His stance was identical to that of current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“Japan, Taiwan and all those who believe in democracy must continue to call on President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Chinese Communist Party not to go astray,” Abe said.
Source: AMPE
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Source From: Capital
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