Beijing steps up military pressure on Taiwan

All this "pressure" does is turn people away from Beijing. And we've just seen this yet again in the election, with the DPP winning.

The more Beijing pushes, the more people resist. As I've said before, it is the North Wind in the Aesop Fable.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_North_Wind_and_the_Sun

China has been threatening the peaceful country of Taiwan for years.

Emotions are real regarding Taiwan on Both Sides, that's WHAT makes it so inherently dangerous. Xi's committed and Biden's NOT, what else do you need to know?

We've seen recent US 'commitments' in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., and now Ukraine. Taiwan understands Biden's many foreign failures, collapsing approval ratings, rapid aging, and cold hard reality this all offers Xi at this time.

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:14 pm JST

Xi's committed and Biden's NOT, what else do you need to know?

Xi's committed to what? Illegally annexing a peaceful neighbor that has done him no wrong, and is not a threat in any way?

If so, yes - that's exactly the problem we have here.

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:14 pm JST

Emotions are real regarding Taiwan on Both Sides, that's WHAT makes it so inherently dangerous. Xi's committed and Biden's NOT, what else do you need to know?

Biden has said he would defend Taiwan, so no need to question Biden's committement. Take your doom and gloom somewhere else.

This could have been headlined....

China flew planes and sailed ships in international waters, as is their right. Sadly Washington does not like this and wants to generate anti Chinese sentiment.

tensions in the Red Sea

China's partner and fellow authoritarian state, Iran, is involved in racheting up the tensions in the Red Sea and other areas in the ME, thereby putting China's access to fossil fuels at risk. China should try to get Iran to fix the many problems within Iran's existing borders, instead of spreading its violence. China is or has been Iran's top customer for oil and gas. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/irans-expanding-oil-trade-with-top-buyer-china-2023-11-10/

Mr KiplingToday 05:09 pm JST

This could have been headlined....

China flew planes and sailed ships in international waters, as is their right. Sadly Washington does not like this and wants to generate anti Chinese sentiment.

Or perhaps it could've been headlined:

"China flew military planes and sailed military ships toward a country that it threatens to annex by force, across a hitherto-respected border that it now violates, thus raising tensions through wanton belligerence."

Yes, the US and other countries sail/fly through the Taiwan Strait, but they don't have the annexation of China as their stated aim, do they?

All this "pressure" does is turn people away from Beijing. And we've just seen this yet again in the election, with the DPP winning.

The more Beijing pushes, the more people resist.

I'm sorry, small side note. Live and learn. Only from JT I've learnt that the noun “pressure” has only one definition - Chinese (well, sometimes, however, also Russian). The words "pressure" and "American" are incompatible. Never in JT materials these two words appear side by side :) America turns peaceful countries into its matresses without any pressure:))) Nothing but philology. Carry on, madam

KukuToday 06:06 pm JST

All this "pressure" does is turn people away from Beijing. And we've just seen this yet again in the election, with the DPP winning.

The more Beijing pushes, the more people resist.

I'm sorry, small side note. Live and learn. Only from JT I've learnt that the noun “pressure” has only one definition - Chinese (well, sometimes, however, also Russian). The words "pressure" and "American" are incompatible. Never in JT materials these two words appear side by side :) America turns peaceful countries into its matresses without any pressure:))) Nothing but philology. Carry on, madam

The US leaves countries it invades. Still waiting on Russia to leave the Northern Territories, Kaliningrad, South Ossetia, Ukraine.

China the trouble maker.

China raising tensions in the region and putting all in danger.

China the untrustworthy.

China the bully.

China the thief.

Taiwan is not enticed by your behavior China, it only pushes them further away. Taiwan's people are much better than you are showing yourself to be. You have nothing to offer Taiwan or its people, other than oppression and subjugation. You will not silence their voice or crush their hopes and dreams for a better future.

Back to the drawing board for China. Pathetic, needy China.

isabelleToday  04:57 pm JST

HopeSpringsEternalToday 04:14 pm JST

Xi's committed and Biden's NOT, what else do you need to know?

Xi's committed to what? Illegally annexing a peaceful neighbor that has done him no wrong, and is not a threat in any way?

Again, you call it 'invasion' of Taiwan, they call it "re-unification and harmony".

Just depends on one's biases and self-interest. In my case, purely objective = no agenda other than TRUE understanding of conflicts and global tension at hand.

They. China and Taiwan will sort out their problems themselves

Again, you call it 'invasion' of Taiwan (or Ukraine), they call it "re-unification and harmony"

Taiwan does not term it "reunification", for them it would be an invasion. Who cares what China calls it? Who cares what Russia calls the invasion of Ukraine? The victims will name it, and when they call it an invasion, you should believe them.

They. China and Taiwan will sort out their problems themselves

There is nothing to sort out. Taiwan wants nothing to do with China other than trade. It was sorted out 74 years ago. Anything that China initiates now is of international concern and Taiwan's friends will assist them to maintain their right to freedom and sovereignty, as they have had for the past 7 decades. It is not a China issue, but an international issue. China wants everyone else to stand aside so it can invade Taiwan with no interference. That wont happen.

People need to remember that Taiwan wasn't a democracy for many decades and more than China has been since 1949. We know that Taiwan became a democracy, eventually, but only after the UN recognized the mainland officially. There's still hope for the mainland to become like Taiwan, build a few decades as a democracy, then ask of Taiwan chooses to join or not and be done with the craziness.

Taiwan has NO legal status as a nation, not even exist ING in the United Nation. How can it being classification as an international concern?

China's stance is simple: NO two state solution for Taiwan. Taiwan is not and never is being an independent state. And such claims has no international recognition or basis. Solely is the issue of People's republic of China.

Taiwan is like the "Confederacy" during the American Civil war, where the Chinese civil war is still ongoing. And supreme leader Xi is the contemporary "Abraham Lincoln of China", leading the nation to the final unification!

without bloodshed and war, they will sort it out themselves, but if they deal with third parties, then there will be bloodshed and war. So choose for yourself everyone who wants to be a participant in the events, which is better

Taiwan has NO legal status as a nation, not even exist ING in the United Nation. How can it being classification as an international concern?

Could it be that Taiwan has not been admitted to the UN because China has used / will use its veto?

Peter14 has posted a lot of what I wanted to say (thanks) but in any case:

HopeSpringsEternalToday 07:32 pm JST

Again, you call it 'invasion' of Taiwan, they call it "re-unification and harmony".

Who is "they?"

You purport to be "purely objective" but your definition of "they" here undoubtedly means "the CCP." The people of Taiwan have just voted for a government that does not see it this way. Obviously, that government doesn't represent everyone, but even among those who voted for other parties I seriously doubt many would see a take-over by the CCP as "re-unification and harmony."

nikToday 09:54 pm JST

without bloodshed and war, they will sort it out themselves, but if they deal with third parties, then there will be bloodshed and war.

This statement is nonsense.

China has already threatened to annex Taiwan by force "if necessary" [sic]. Even if no third parties were involved, if that were to happen there would be bloodshed and war.

The third parties, together with Taiwan, are attempting to stop China's bloodshed and war.

elephant200Today 09:53 pm JST

Taiwan has NO legal status as a nation, not even exist ING in the United Nation.

It's only in legal limbo because the CCP threatens to invade if it changes the status quo. Is it worth risking invasion by a totalitarian monster for the sake of a few words? The Taiwanese people appear to think not.

How can it being classification as an international concern?

Because an illegal invasion and annexation, together with the gross human rights abuses that would occur, is everyone's business. See Ukraine, Gaza, and (sadly) countless other places around the world.

And, importantly, because the Taiwanese people are asking the rest of the world for help.

Taiwan is not and never is being an independent state.

It is according to its leaders, who have just been voted in for a third term.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/08/16/2003804803

Taiwan is like the "Confederacy" during the American Civil war

Except it isn't at all. Taiwan has never been ruled by the CCP so isn't threatening to "secede from the union." It's already independent.

And supreme leader Xi is the contemporary "Abraham Lincoln of China", leading the nation to the final unification!

Xi is leading the nation back to Mao's time: brutality, oppression, and isolation. This is a tragedy for the Chinese people, and for the world.

There is a wise saying in the world: “a third wheel.” Not a single conflict involving a third party has ended in peaceful negotiations. Help from third parties who also supply weapons to one of the parties to the conflict only leads to war. I think everyone sees examples

Like an abusive ex-husband who can’t take a hint.

nikToday 11:10 pm JST

There is a wise saying in the world: “a third wheel.”

It's not a wise saying. It's a saying.

Help from third parties who also supply weapons to one of the parties to the conflict only leads to war.

1) How do you know this exactly? Can you predict the future?

2) Taiwan asks the US for weapons.

3) Plenty of conflicts start without third parties, but all start with an aggressor. China is the aggressor, and that's all it needs.

Xi is looked at in China as a big bad dog salivating at the mouth barking loudly with one eye open one eye closed and no teeth to bite! Answers to the name Lucky!! The CCP cronies will turn on him!

Taiwan has NO legal status as a nation, not even exist ING in the United Nation. How can it being classification as an international concern?

There is nothing anywhere that says a nation must be in the United Nations to be called a country. There is nothing stopping members from withdrawing, and they would still be sovereign states. Japan withdrew from the League of nations which was the global body before the UN was created. Japan remained a sovereign nation.

China's stance is simple: NO two state solution for Taiwan. Taiwan is not and never is being an independent state. And such claims has no international recognition or basis. Solely is the issue of People's republic of China.

China's stance is irrelevant to everyone but China. Taiwan has been an independent state for 74 years and nothing China says can alter that, it is historical fact.

Taiwan is like the "Confederacy" during the American Civil war, where the Chinese civil war is still ongoing. And supreme leader Xi is the contemporary "Abraham Lincoln of China", leading the nation to the final unification!

Again irrelevant and simply one side of the story. If anything China is the confederacy in this story as it wanted to change the nation through warfare as the Confederates did in America. Taiwan was the ruling party and the legal power in China. The communists managed to push the governing body to Taiwan where it remains unconquered and independent. They were defeated on the mainland but never defeated completely and they never surrendered. They remain in control of territory that has never been under CCP control. Apart from some instances of Chinese attacks on Taiwan in the intervening 74 years, with artillery strikes, there has been not only peace between them but trade and tourism, as Taiwan trades with many nations of the world without Chinese permission or interference.

China pursues the illogical concept that because the KMT lost control of the mainland, they must hand over the island of Taiwan. Taiwan was never defeated and the people still oppose Communist rule. So no, Taiwan is not part of CCP's China, they are separate and independent with a long and rich history all their own. They originally has a seat on the UNSC and full membership in the UN. Historical fact.

Taiwan is not and never is being an independent state.

Check the history books.

Taiwan was a member of the UN and the UNSC from 1949 until 1971. It was recognized as the Republic of China. Again, it is historical fact.

Taiwan was a member of the UN and the UNSC from 1949 until 1971.

Actually from 1945 until 1971.

Taiwan is being very foolish in refusing to join China. China is rapidly becoming the World's No 1 Nation.

HopeSpringsEternalJan. 27 07:32 pm JST

Again, you call it 'invasion' of Taiwan, they call it "re-unification and harmony".

Well, yeah. Israel could call what they are doing in Gaza a Special Military Operation, but that doesn't make it a peaceful bombing campaign.

nikJan. 27 07:48 pm JST

They. China and Taiwan will sort out their problems themselves

When it comes to resuming a 75 year dormant conflict, I feel perfectly justified in the US saying they will not sort out their problems themselves militarily.

without bloodshed and war, they will sort it out themselves, but if they deal with third parties, then there will be bloodshed and war. So choose for yourself everyone who wants to be a participant in the events, which is better

There will be no shots fired until the mainland does something stupid like invade or blockade. The assignment of blame will be clear, as it was in Ukraine.

There is a wise saying in the world: “a third wheel.” Not a single conflict involving a third party has ended in peaceful negotiations. Help from third parties who also supply weapons to one of the parties to the conflict only leads to war. I think everyone sees examples

Historically, if a third party supported a side, they just joined the war. Now with nukes, we have to be a little more judicious. Some may say this is a good thing, but that is up to you. The small countries need defending from the fascist.

elephant200Jan. 27 09:53 pm JST

Taiwan has NO legal status as a nation, not even exist ING in the United Nation. How can it being classification as an international concern?

Just because bully boy China threw its fat a** around, doesn't mean this will always be the case.

China's stance is simple: NO two state solution for Taiwan. Taiwan is not and never is being an independent state. And such claims has no international recognition or basis. Solely is the issue of People's republic of China.

The ROC has been an independent state since 1912.

Taiwan is like the "Confederacy" during the American Civil war, where the Chinese civil war is still ongoing. And supreme leader Xi is the contemporary "Abraham Lincoln of China", leading the nation to the final unification!

The confederacy didn't last for 75 years, complete with international trade between North and South. Your "supreme leader" is a supreme joke.

The PROC is an authoritarian state.

Taiwan, ROC is a democratic nation.

Two different systems and two separate governments.

If Xi is wise and wants his country to be great and prosperous then he should give diplomatic recognition to the ROC asap.

He will surely be winner of NOBEL Peace Prize hands down!

Moreover the Chinese people will no longer be victims of war again.

Hiro S NobumasaToday 04:40 am JST

Amen to that! Sadly mainland political thought is still in the dark ages and Xi Jinping has an empire to run.

In response to China’s bullying of Taiwan, America barks at China while wielding a big stick. We know what China’s motives are but what are America’s intentions in this international confrontation? It can’t be over Taiwan’s sovereignty because Nixon and Kissinger kowtowed to China decades ago. America’s actions in Southeast Asia and Taiwan have only been in it’s self interest to contain China and to protect the safe passage of merchant ships through oceans now proclaimed by China as its territorial waters.

in America’s increasingly self protective political atmosphere, Uncle Sam does not have the balls to enter into a treaty with Taiwan nor will it station American troops on that island nation. America soon forgets that Taiwan supported the US during the Southeast Asian conflict with Vietnam by allowing American bases to refuel B-52 bombers enroute to bombing missions over Hanoi.

The future does not look bright with Trump’s MAGA on the horizon. The Republicans want to pull out of Ukraine and will likely not support Taiwan. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and other Southeast Asian countries must step up to the plate and form a NATO like organization for their own self protection and self I determination.

PacificpilotToday 05:05 am JST

In response to China’s bullying of Taiwan, America barks at China while wielding a big stick. We know what China’s motives are but what are America’s intentions in this international confrontation? It can’t be over Taiwan’s sovereignty because Nixon and Kissinger kowtowed to China decades ago. America’s actions in Southeast Asia and Taiwan have only been in it’s self interest to contain China and to protect the safe passage of merchant ships through oceans now proclaimed by China as its territorial waters.

You know what they say about the enemy of my enemy, right?

in America’s increasingly self protective political atmosphere, Uncle Sam does not have the balls to enter into a treaty with Taiwan nor will it station American troops on that island nation. America soon forgets that Taiwan supported the US during the Southeast Asian conflict with Vietnam by allowing American bases to refuel B-52 bombers enroute to bombing missions over Hanoi.

I agree that there should be a formal US defense treaty with Taiwan, but the mainland mouthpieces here tell us that means war.

The future does not look bright with Trump’s MAGA on the horizon. The Republicans want to pull out of Ukraine and will likely not support Taiwan. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and other Southeast Asian countries must step up to the plate and form a NATO like organization for their own self protection and self I determination.

Well I'm all for countries arming for their collective defense, but the fact is, you can't do it without the US. Also Vietnam and Indochinese countries are very questionable allies given their political systems. Best not to count too much on them.

First, there was a civil war in China between the Chinese Nationalist Party headed by Chang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong’s CCP.  In this war, CCP overwhelmed Chang led CNP, chasing Chang's government to Taiwan. CNP became KMT in Taiwan.

We must take this fact into consideration when discussing the Taiwan issue.

voiceofokinawaJan. 28  01:03 pm JST

First, there was a civil war in China between the Chinese Nationalist Party headed by Chang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong’s CCP.  In this war, CCP overwhelmed Chang led CNP, chasing Chang's government to Taiwan. CNP became KMT in Taiwan.

We must take this fact into consideration when discussing the Taiwan issue.

Yes it should be very obvious. The CCP rules the Chinese mainland and Taiwan = independent Taiwan. That means that Taiwan is its own nation, has been since 1949.

So Xi, you need to man up and suck-it-up because Taiwan doesn't belong to you. And their elections this past week just gave you and your CCP a big razzberry. Leave Taiwan alone, chump!

voiceofokinawaJan. 28 01:03 pm JST

First, there was a civil war in China between the Chinese Nationalist Party headed by Chang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong’s CCP.  In this war, CCP overwhelmed Chang led CNP, chasing Chang's government to Taiwan. CNP became KMT in Taiwan.

We must take this fact into consideration when discussing the Taiwan issue.

The KMT has been using that name since 1919 and was "overwhelmed" thanks to Soviet aid to the CCP. Not sure what else needs to be taken into consideration.