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China warns of military action against Taiwan to block relations with US on eve of American visit On the eve of a visit by former US politicians to Taiwan at the request of US President Joe Biden, the US State Department said it would issue new guidelines to enable US officials to meet more freely with officials from Taiwan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Beijing warned on Tuesday it was determined to stop Taiwan getting close to Washington with the use of military action, ahead of a visit by a former US politician and officials to the island at US President Joe Biden s request.
UPDATE 3-As Biden s emissaries go to Taiwan, China terms exercises combat drills Reuters 2 hrs ago
(Adds Taiwan presidential office comment on visit)
BEIJING, April 14 (Reuters) - China described its military exercises near Taiwan as combat drills on Wednesday, hours before the arrival of senior former U.S. officials in Taipei on a trip to signal President Joe Biden s commitment to Taiwan and its democracy.
Taiwan has complained over the proximity of repeated Chinese military activity, including fighter jets and bombers entering its air defense zone and a Chinese aircraft carrier exercising off the island, claimed by Beijing.
Twenty-five Chinese air force aircraft including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered Taiwan s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, the largest reported incursion by Taipei to date.
Attempts to seek Taiwan independence doomed to fail: spokesperson Xinhua | Updated: 2021-04-14 15:07 Share CLOSE
BEIJING A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday lashed out at attempts by the United States and Taiwan s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to contain China with Taiwan or seek Taiwan independence.
With the firm resolve and strong ability of 1.4 billion Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, any attempt to contain China with the Taiwan question or count on military force to seek Taiwan independence is doomed to fail, said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
Ex-US officials visit Taiwan amid China tensions
April 14, 2021
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1of6From left, former U.S. senator Chris Dodd, former U.S. Deputies Secretary of State James Steinberg and Richard Armitage have their photo taken with Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu upon arrival in Taipei, Taiwan on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The former U.S. senator and two ex-State Department officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday at a time of tense relations with China, Taiwan s Foreign Ministry said. (Pool Photo via AP)APShow MoreShow Less
2of6From left, former U.S. senator Chris Dodd, is greeted by Brant Christensen director of American Institute in Taiwan, center as Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu at right looks on in Taipei, Taiwan on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The former U.S. senator and two ex-State Department officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday at a time of tense relations with China, Taiwan s Foreign Ministry said. (Pool Photo via AP)APShow MoreShow Less