Latest news with #LaiChing-te
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
'We will not provoke confrontation': Taiwan slams China's ‘aggressive' military posturing, calls for talks
Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on Friday said Taipei does not want a conflict with China and will not provoke confrontation, but warned that Beijing's "aggressive" military posturing is counterproductive. Chinese pressure on Taiwan had escalated over the past few years, but the island's people were peace-loving, Hsiao said while talking to the media at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei. "We do not seek conflict; we will not provoke confrontation," she said, reiterating President Lai Ching-te's offer of talks between Taipei and Beijing. The dispute between the two nations involves China's claim over democratic Taiwan as part of its own territory. Beijing also called President Lai Ching-te a "separatist". The Taiwanese president has repeatedly offered talks with China, but has been rebuffed. Since 2022, Beijing has staged at least six rounds of major war games around Taiwan. Hsiao further said for decades Taiwan's people and business have contributed to China's growth and prosperity, which has been possible only in a peaceful and stable environment. "Aggressive military posturing is counterproductive and deprives the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait of opportunities to pursue an agenda of growth and prosperity," the vice president said. "Defending the status quo (with China) is our choice, not because it is easy, but because it is responsible and consistent with the interests of our entire region." In 2023, China imposed sanctions on Hsiao for the second time, but they have little practical effect as senior Taiwanese officials do not travel to China and Chinese law has no jurisdiction over the entirely separately governed island. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian in Beijing said whatever Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party said or did, both sides of the strait belonged to "one China". On the Taiwan-United States tariff talks, Hsiao said: "With the United States, our negotiators are literally working around the clock to strive to reach an agreement on reciprocal tariffs to achieve trade balance while also promoting further bilateral cooperation in technology, investments and other areas." Taiwan , a major semiconductor producer, is facing challenges following US President Donald Trump's April announcement that the island would be subject to a 32 per cent tariff, which was subsequently suspended to facilitate talks.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
US says Taiwan's president's transit would be routine
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te is expected to visit Paraguay, likely transiting through US territory. (EPA Images pic) WASHINGTON : The US said Thursday that there would be no change in its Taiwan policy if the self-ruled island's president transits through US soil, as China issued a warning. Paraguay, one of a dwindling number of countries to recognise Taipei rather than Beijing, announced Monday that Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te would visit in August, likely meaning he would need to fly through US territory. State department spokesman Tammy Bruce did not confirm Lai would transit but played down any political implications. 'Transits of the US by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are in line with past practice and fully consistent with our long-standing policy,' she told reporters. 'Such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience and dignity of the passenger,' she said. China's foreign ministry warned both Paraguay and the US about Lai's travel. 'We oppose any visit to the US by leaders of the Taiwan authorities under whatever reason or pretext,' the foreign ministry said in a statement on X. China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its territory and has threatened to annex it by force. The US only recognises Beijing but sells weapons to Taiwan. Secretary of state Marco Rubio, a long-time critic of Beijing, met last week in Malaysia with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in what he called 'very constructive and productive' talks. Rubio said after the meeting that 'obviously we understand their viewpoints on Taiwan', but that there was no discussion about potential transit by Lai.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Taiwan Fires Javelins, Tanks, Closes Key Bridge for Drills to Stop China Forces From Entering Taipei
A key bridge in the Greater Taipei area was closed on July 15 as part of a military drill simulating Taiwan's efforts to block enemy forces from advancing into the capitalThe exercise, part of the annual Han Kuang drills, simulated a scenario where China's PLA attempted to infiltrate Taipei from nearby New Taipei City using carsTaiwan's president, Lai Ching-te, inspected military drills in New Taipei City as part of the annual Han Kuang exercises on July 9 The army simulated a defence against an invasion by Chinese troops entering the city, responding with tactical resistance, regrouping and retreating with armoured vehicles 0:00 INTRO3:22 LAI OVERSEES DRILLS SIMULATING CHINESE ASSAULT ON TAIPEI4:48 MISSILES, DRONES, COASTAL DEFENSES IN FULL FORCE AS TAIWAN… n18oc_world n18oc_crux
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Will the world see another war this year? This country deploys HIMARS and Patriot systems near..., not Israel, Ukraine, name is....
Taiwan's newly acquired HIMARS unit Taiwan conducts civil defence drills 'Urban Resilience' exercise: In a significant development, possibly indicating another global conflict this year, Taiwan (the Republic of China), a country which the People's Republic of China led by Xi Jinping has been reportedly planning to attack and occupy has deployed advanced US made weapons—including HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot missile batteries, and Stinger missiles—during its largest-ever Han Kuang military drills. Here are all the details you need to know about the recent development in Taiwan. Taiwan conducts civil defence drills 'Urban Resilience' exercise In a significant development from Taiwan, local media reports indicated that the third day of 'Urban Resilience' exercises- featuring air raid alerts, public evacuation manoeuvres, and disaster relief drills- to guard against Chinese threats to invade- will continue across Taiwan. Taiwan is reportedly conducting the exercise due to the impending risk of an attack from Xi Jinping's People's Republic of China. What civil defence drills is Taiwan conducting? The civil defence drills are part of Taiwan's broader annual 10-day Han Kuang military drills, which began on July 9–the island country's largest war games–aimed at increasing defence preparedness in the face of a hypothetical Chinese invasion amidst escalating tensions. The air raid alerts will last for 30 minutes, and once the alerts are lifted, local governments and civil defence groups will follow with relief station, emergency station or disaster relief drills. What do presence of Chinese warships indicate? The presence of Chinese warships off the coast of southwestern Japan has tripled in the last three years, including in waters between Taiwan and the neighboring Japanese island of Yonaguni, according to the Japanese Defence white paper. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims. Lai Ching-te, who completed a year in office has urged Beijing to restart dialogue with his government on equal terms. (With inputs from agencies)
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sirens wail, cities shut down as Taiwan simulates Chinese air raid
Sirens sounded at 1.30pm for the mandatory street evacuation drills in Taipei today. (AP pic) TAIPEI : Sirens wailed, roads emptied and people were ordered to stay indoors in Taiwan's capital Taipei today during an annual air-raid exercise aimed at preparing for any Chinese missile attack. Sirens sounded at 1.30pm for the mandatory street evacuation drills, which effectively shut towns and cities across northern Taiwan for 30 minutes. An alert, asking people to evacuate to safety immediately, was sent via phone text message by the defence ministry. 'Air defence drill. Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter,' it read in Chinese and English, accompanied by a shrill alarm. Taiwanese authorities this month updated instructions on what people should do when air-raid alerts are issued, including for citizens who are not able to get into shelters in time or for those who are driving a car. China, whose government views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory over the island's rejection, has ramped up its military pressure over the past five years, including almost daily fighter jet flights into the skies around the island. In the past 24 hours, 58 Chinese military planes including fighter jets were detected around Taiwan, its defence ministry said. Among them, 45 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, an unofficial buffer zone. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who China reviles as a 'separatist', rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. He has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. During the drill, police in Taipei directed vehicles to move to the side of roads and people already not inside were told to seek shelter. Some shops and restaurants pulled down shutters and turned off lights – steps aimed at reducing the risk of becoming a target in the event of a night-time attack. Sirens sounded 30 minutes later to give the all-clear. The civil defence drills are taking place at the same time as Taiwan's largest ever military drills, which simulated attacks on its command systems and infrastructure, as well as China's grey zone tactics including military incursions and a disinformation campaign designed to test Taiwan's response.
