Taiwan to work with US to counter China authoritarianism
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) April 8, 2023

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday that Taipei will continue working with the United States and other democracies as the island faces "continued authoritarian expansionism" from China.

Beijing announced three-days of military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday, calling them a "stern warning" to the self-ruled island's government after Tsai met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles earlier this week.

Hours after Beijing, which views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its own territory, announced the exercises, Tsai met with a US congressional delegation in Taipei led by House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul.

"In recent years we have faced continued authoritarian expansionism," Tsai said at the meeting.

"Cooperation among democracies has become even more important. We will continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy, she added.

McCaul -- who oversees all US military sales to foreign nations -- said Washington was working to quickly supply weapons to Taiwan.

"We are doing everything we can in Congress to speed up these sales and get the weapons that you need to defend yourself, and we will provide training to your military, not for war, but for peace," he said.

"It's important that all democracies stand together against tyranny and oppression, whether it be (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine to Communist China's acts of aggression against your nation and the Pacific."

Dubbed "United Sharp Sword", China's three-day operation will run until Monday, the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement.

The war games will send planes, ships and personnel into "the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island's east", said Shi Yin, a PLA spokesman.

Taiwan's defence ministry on Saturday said it would respond to China's operation "with a calm, rational, and serious attitude, and monitor the situation based on the principle of 'not escalating conflicts, nor causing disputes' to defend our national sovereignty and security".

Seven decades of China-Taiwan relations
Taipei (AFP) April 8, 2023 - As China launches three days of military drills around Taiwan, AFP looks at the history of relations between the self-ruled island and Beijing:

- 1949: separation -

Mao Zedong's communists take power in Beijing in October 1949 after defeating Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists in a civil war.

The KMT flee to the island of Taiwan and form their own government in Taipei in December, cutting off contacts with mainland China.

In 1950, Taiwan becomes an ally of the United States, which is at war with communist China in Korea. The United States deploys a fleet in the Taiwan Strait to protect its ally from possible attack.

- 1971: Beijing gets UN, US nods -

In October 1971, Beijing takes over China's seat at the United Nations, previously held by Taipei.

In 1979, the United States cuts formal ties with Taiwan and establishes diplomatic relations with Beijing instead.

Washington goes on to develop a nuanced Taiwan policy where it "acknowledges" China's claim to the island, which is not the same as accepting Beijing's claim of sovereignty.

The United States also maintains trade and military ties with Taipei. It opposes both Taiwanese independence and any attempt by China to forcibly take the island.

- 1987-2004: relations improve -

In late 1987, Taiwan residents are permitted to visit mainland China for the first time, allowing families to reunite.

Taiwan lifts emergency rule in 1991, unilaterally ending a state of war with China. The first direct talks between the two sides are held in Singapore two years later.

But in 1995, Beijing suspends talks in protest at a visit by Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui to the United States.

China tests missiles off Taiwan in 1996 to deter voters in the island's first democratic presidential election.

In 2000 elections, the KMT loses power in Taiwan for the first time. Trade links between the two sides improve over the next few years.

- 2005-2015: threats and talks -

Beijing adopts a law in March 2005 authorising the use of force if Taiwan declares independence. In April, KMT chairman Lien Chan makes a landmark visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Hu Jintao.

In 2008, Taiwan and China resume high-level talks after the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou is elected president on a Beijing-friendly platform.

They sign a sweeping Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010 and in 2014 hold the first government-to-government talks since separation.

- 2016: honeymoon over -

Tsai Ing-wen, from the traditionally pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, wins presidential elections in January 2016.

In June, China suspends all communications with Taiwan after the new government fails to acknowledge the "One China" policy.

In December, US president-elect Donald Trump breaks with decades of US diplomatic policy by speaking directly with Tsai by telephone.

Chinese President Xi Jinping says in January 2019 that the unification of China and Taiwan is "inevitable".

- 2021: US-China tensions -

In 2021, Chinese military jets make hundreds of incursions into Taiwan's defence zone.

In October, President Joe Biden says the United States will defend Taiwan if China attacks it, in comments later partly walked back by the White House.

Tsai confirms that a small number of US troops are present in Taiwan to help train its forces.

- 2022: Pelosi visit sparks fury -

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan on August 2 during a tour of Asia after days of speculation and stern warnings from Beijing of unspecified "consequences".

The highest-profile elected US official to visit the island in 25 years says her visit demonstrates her country's "unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant democracy".

A furious China vows "punishment" and launches its largest-ever military exercises in the area, encircling Taiwan on August 4 and conducting war drills that last for around a week.

The exercises include the deployment of fighter jets and warships, and the firing of ballistic missiles.

Taipei responds with drills of its own and in the following weeks the United States sends warships through the Taiwan Strait and announces new military aid packages for the island.

China slaps sanctions on Pelosi but her visit rallies other US and European delegations to land in Taiwan.

- 2023: Tsai meets McCarthy -

Tsai makes two stops in the United States on her way to and from Latin America, meeting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the return leg in California on April 5.

Beijing warns against the meeting and issues several rebukes after, insisting Taiwan is part of its territory and that "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity will never be divided".

On April 8, the day after Tsai returns to Taipei, Beijing launches three days of military drills rehearsing an "encirclement" of Taiwan.

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com