On Monday, the US had called for additional cooperation with its allies to deter potential military aggression by China….reports Asian Lite News
During the high-level US and European Union dialogue on China, both sides are slated to discuss issues associated with the security of Taiwan.
This came as China has significantly increased its military incursions in Taiwan.
“Tomorrow, Deputy Secretary [of State Wendy] Sherman and Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Stefano Sannino will lead the second high-level meeting of the US and EU dialogue on China,” Sputnik news agency reported citing a US official.
“The discussion will focus on key areas, including technology, human rights, multilateralism, disinformation and security,” the official said adding that Taiwan will be the topic of discussions.
On Monday, the US had called for additional cooperation with its allies to deter potential military aggression by China.
The statement came from the US Department of Defence (DOD) while summing up the conclusions of ‘Global Posture Review’, initiated by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in March.
“In the Indo-Pacific, the review directs additional cooperation with allies and partners to advance initiatives that contribute to regional stability and deter potential Chinese military aggression and threats from North Korea,” the DOD said.
These initiatives include seeking greater regional access for military partnership activities; enhancing infrastructure in Australia and the Pacific Islands; and planning rotational aircraft deployments in Australia, as announced in September.
Both sides will issue a joint statement at the conclusion of the bilateral dialogue, the official said.
This came as China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China.
Despite being governed separately for more than seven decades, Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
China has also threatened that “Taiwan’s independence” means war.
Meanwhile, China has expressed firm opposition to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent remarks on Beijing’s possible invasion of Taiwan.
Abe, during a virtual forum on Wednesday, said the Chinese invasion of Taiwan would pose a serious threat to the security of Japan and the Japan-United States alliance, Taiwan Focus reported.
Speaking at an event organized by Taiwanese think tank the Institute for National Policy Research, Abe said, “given the proximity between Japan and Taiwan, an armed invasion of Taiwan would inevitably pose a serious threat to Japan.”
Responding to former Japanese PM, Chinese Foreign Ministery spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “Abe, in disregard of the basic norms governing international relations and the principles set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, flagrantly made irresponsible remarks on Taiwan and stirred in China’s internal affairs.”
China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to Abe’s remark and has made stern representations through diplomatic channels, Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
The spokesperson said no one should underestimate the resolve, will and ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Anyone who dares to take the old path of militarism and challenge the bottom line of the Chinese people will inevitably run into bumps and bruises,” he said.
Experts have warned about a possible Chinese invasion amid a surge in military exercises in the South China Sea and repeated sorties of military aircraft in Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. (ANI)