China Says It Will Take Action To Stop Taiwan Independence
As ex American officials prepare to visit Taiwan, China has put out a declaration that it would be willing to use military force to reunify the island of Taiwan with mainland china after China's latest intrusion of 25 warplanes into the islands ADIZ zone, the largest incursion recorded yet.
Spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Ma Xiaoguang stated "The signal given by the military drills is that we are determined to stop Taiwan independence, and stop Taiwan from working with the US. We are doing it with action. We do not promise to abandon the use of force, and retain the option of taking all necessary measures."
Ma also said "We are aimed at the interference of external forces and the very small number of separatists and their separatist activities. We are definitely not aimed at compatriots in Taiwan. The People's Liberation Army's military exercises and training operations are sending a signal that our determination to curb Taiwan independence and Taiwan-U.S. collusion is not just talk."
The American ex officials will be staying in Taiwan for three days to discuss furthering informal relations between the United States and Taiwan, as well as listen to Taiwan officials as they brief the US ex officials on China's latest incursions into Taiwan airspace and other acts of Chinese aggression on the Island.
A US state department spokesperson responded to the comments by Ma in a statement to Newsweek stating "the United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing [People's Republic of China] attempts to intimidate the region, including Taiwan. We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan."
The spokesperson also added that the United States will be deepening our "unofficial security relationship" and increasing Taiwan's capabilities of defending itself from further incursions into its territory, saying "We expect Beijing to honor its commitment to the peaceful resolution of cross Strait differences, and we will stand with friends and allies to protect and advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "would be a serious mistake" for China to invade Taiwan saying, "We have a commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan commitment that's existed for many, many years, to make sure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself, and to make sure that we're sustaining peace and security in the western Pacific, we stand behind those commitments. And all I can tell you is it would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change the existing status quo by force."