A delegation of five members of the U.S. Congress visited Taiwan from August 14 to 15, in violation of the one-China principle. This is the latest use of Taiwan by the U.S. to antagonize China through the violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit of the congressional delegation comes 12 days after the visit of Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which already brought U.S.-China relations to a new low, with China having implemented various countermeasures in response.

The U.S. delegation was led by Senator Edward J. Markey (D., Massachusetts). The Global Times points out that "Markey is a seasoned China hawk, who often chides China on human rights issues. In March 2020, he co-introduced a bipartisan resolution with Senator Rick Scott calling on the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Winter Olympics out of China."

While the U.S. has sought to put the blame on China for the increase in tensions following Pelosi's visit, several experts cited by the Global Times point out that the visit of this congressional delegation further proves that it is the U.S. which makes repeated provocations and keeps tensions from easing.

These experts note that China will definitely impose sanctions on the visiting U.S. Congress members as a countermeasure.

Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that the visit of the congressional delegation "shows that the U.S. has ignored China's stern warnings and will have to face severe punishment due to its egregious provocations." He added that the Congress members who made up the delegation are likely to face similar sanctions on an individual basis, as is the case with Pelosi. However, Zhang said that the congressional delegation's visit will not make much further damage to bilateral ties, as the level of the delegation pales in comparison with Pelosi, who holds the third highest position in the U.S. government.

Another expert cited by the Global Times said of the visit by the congressional delegation, "It can be seen that the U.S. has become stuck in the mind-set of making trouble and sabotaging China-U.S. ties so as to make itself a so-called lead player in the Western Pacific region." The expert also pointed out that "This visit serves another example of the U.S. trying to get its way in global security affairs, and insists on creating crises as well as turbulence globally." The expert further added that U.S. Congress and other institutions are trying to use the Taiwan question to gain political advantage, but that this will only complicate U.S. domestic politics and "cast a great shadow on China-U.S. relations."

The Voice of Straits, a state media outlet of the People's Republic of China focusing on cross-Taiwan Strait news, said on August 14 that "according to sources from the Chinese military, the PLA [People's Liberation Army] Eastern Theater Command is likely to conduct strong and powerful military operations in the waters and airspace around the island of Taiwan as countermeasures to the latest visit to the island by U.S. lawmakers." After Pelosi left Taiwan, the PLA conducted week-long drills in the Taiwan Strait and it would later conduct regular combat readiness security patrols.

A notable response to Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has come from former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal he expressed concern that the U.S. and China are headed toward a crisis, and said that the U.S. should instead revert to its previous course. "The policy that was carried out by both parties has produced and allowed the progress of Taiwan into an autonomous democratic entity and has preserved peace between China and the U.S. for 50 years," he said, noting that "one should be very careful, therefore, in measures that seem to change the basic structure."

Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was shortly followed by Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaiciukeviciute, who made a five-day visit, for which she was personally sanctioned by China on August 12, while it has suspended engagement with her ministry as well as cooperation with Lithuania on transportation.

In the recent period, China has downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania in response to Lithuania's insistence at violating the one-China principle. For example, in June, Lithuania's vice minister of the economy and innovation visited Taipei where she said Lithuania plans to open a representative office in Taiwan in September. Reuters reports that in January, the EU launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO) accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania, arguing that this threatens the integrity of the bloc's single market. China responded that it has always abided by WTO rules and that its problem with Lithuania is political, not economic, in nature. Last year, Lithuania said it would allow Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in the capital Vilnius under its own name.

(With files from Global Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, AP, NBC)

Countermeasures Taken by China to
Defend Its Sovereignty

On August 5, in response to the August 2 visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the People's Republic of China announced a series of eight countermeasures to defend its sovereignty. Taiwan is part of China's territory and the U.S. purports to uphold and respect the one-China policy, yet Pelosi's visit was made without China's permission and thus was highly provocative and aimed at undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China's eight countermeasures are:

1. Cancelling China-U.S. Theater Commanders Talk.
2. Cancelling China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks.
3. Cancelling China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings.
4. Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
5. Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on legal assistance in criminal matters.
6. Suspending China-U.S. cooperation against transnational crimes.
7. Suspending China-U.S. counternarcotics cooperation.
8. Suspending China-U.S. talks on climate change.

Analysts cited by the Global Times indicate that the countermeasures are aimed at systematically defending China's sovereignty and should not be considered one-off actions. China also announced it has sanctioned Pelosi and her immediate family members, without giving details.

These eight countermeasures are in addition to large-scale military exercises by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted in the waters and airspace around Taiwan from August 3 to 7.

As concerns the first three countermeasures, Lü Xiang, an expert in U.S. studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the cancellation of these three aspects which concern the working mechanisms between the Chinese and U.S. militaries means that the mutual trust between the two and military-to-military relations have reached an all-time low, raising the risk of conflict. He explained that because all the security needs for Pelosi's trip, including her aircraft, were provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), it is the U.S. military and the DoD that is responsible for this affront to China's sovereignty. The cancellation of these talks sends a clear signal to the U.S. that the Chinese side will never accept the U.S. blatantly damaging China-U.S. relations without bearing any consequences, Lü added.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese expert on military matters, told the Global Times that with the U.S. provocations on the Taiwan question, one of China's core interests and a cornerstone of bilateral relations with the U.S., China's countermeasures are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, and that further provocations from the U.S. will increase the possibility of conflict.

Notably, the PLA's military drills not only indicate China's determination and capability of solving the Taiwan question at any time, but it also showed its deterrent and area defence capabilities, Lü pointed out. He added that these drills, taken in concert with China's withdrawal from the mechanisms for bilateral working relations with the U.S. military, mean that the PLA can now take recourse to any countermeasures against any offensive actions by the U.S. military, based on how the situation evolves. The U.S. should take China's countermeasures as a message to think carefully about what kind of China-U.S. relations it wants, Lü noted.

Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times that China's withdrawal from talks in the five other areas will disproportionately affect the U.S. For example, while U.S. President Joe Biden has made significant diplomatic progress in climate change since he took office, progress also requires support and cooperation with China and the U.S. will not be able to achieve anything by itself, Xin said.

Other matters, such as the repatriation of illegal immigrants and cooperation to interdict trafficking of illegal drugs, such as fentanyl, are of greater concern to the U.S. with a relatively small impact on China, Xin added.

Qi Kai, an expert on international political economy at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times that the Biden administration, rather than taking measures to stop Pelosi's visit pretended it had no control over the situation and instead played "good cop" to Pelosi's "bad cop." He also pointed out that a further aim of China's countermeasures is to discourage other countries and their politicians from following the example of the U.S. and Pelosi.

Other countries have already indicated plans for similar provocative visits. The UK's House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee is planning a visit to Taiwan in November or early December, The Guardian reported on August 1. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on August 3 made the provocative tweet that with Pelosi now having "opened the door to Taiwan much wider," other such visits by "defenders of freedom and democracy" will shortly follow.

(With files from Global Times, Xinhua)

China Releases White Paper on Taiwan
Question and Reunification

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" on August 10.

The white paper was released to reiterate the fact that Taiwan is part of China, to demonstrate the resolve of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era.

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound basis in history and jurisprudence, according to the white paper.

The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is a political document encapsulating the one-China principle whose legal authority leaves no room for doubt and has been acknowledged worldwide, says the white paper.

The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations, says the white paper.

"We are one China, and Taiwan is part of China. This is an indisputable fact supported by history and the law. Taiwan has never been a state; its status as part of China is unalterable," says the white paper.

The CPC is committed to the historic mission of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification. Under its resolute leadership, people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have worked together to de-escalate tension across the Strait. They have set out on a path of peaceful development and made many breakthroughs in improving cross-Strait relations, according to the white paper.

Under the guidance of the CPC, great progress has been made in cross-Strait relations over the past seven decades, especially since the estrangement between the two sides was ended. Increased exchanges, broader cooperation and closer interactions have brought tangible benefits to people across the Strait, especially of Taiwan. This fully demonstrates that cross-Strait amity and cooperation are mutually beneficial, says the white paper.

"The realization of complete national reunification is driven by the history and culture of the Chinese nation and determined by the momentum towards and circumstances surrounding our national rejuvenation. Never before have we been so close to, confident in, and capable of achieving the goal of national rejuvenation. The same is true when it comes to our goal of complete national reunification," says the white paper.

China's development and progress -- in particular, the great achievements over four decades of reform, opening up and modernization -- have had a profound impact on the historical process of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing complete national reunification, according to the white paper.

The actions of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have resulted in tension in cross-Strait relations, endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and undermining the prospects and restricting the space for peaceful reunification. These are obstacles that must be removed in advancing the process of peaceful reunification, says the white paper.

External forces have encouraged and instigated provocative actions by the separatist forces; these have intensified cross-Strait tension and confrontation, and undermined peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. This runs counter to the underlying global trends of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and goes against the wishes of the international community and the aspiration of all peoples, says the white paper.

Relying on external forces will achieve nothing for Taiwan's separatists, and using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. The wheel of history rolls on towards national reunification, and it will not be stopped by any individual or any force, says the white paper.

Peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" are our basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question and the best approach to realizing national reunification. Embodying the Chinese wisdom -- we thrive by embracing each other -- they take full account of Taiwan's realities and are conducive to long-term stability in Taiwan after reunification, according to the white paper.

"To realize peaceful reunification, we must acknowledge that the mainland and Taiwan have their own distinct social systems and ideologies. The 'one country, two systems' principle is the most inclusive solution to this problem. It is an approach that is grounded in democratic principles, demonstrates good will, seeks peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question, and delivers mutual benefit. The differences in social system are neither an obstacle to reunification nor a justification for secessionism," says the white paper.

"We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification; but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form," it says.

"We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities. In no way does it target our fellow Chinese in Taiwan. Use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances," it adds.

The future of Taiwan lies in China's reunification, and the wellbeing of the people in Taiwan hinges on the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. "We will join hands with our fellow Chinese in Taiwan to strive for national reunification and rejuvenation," says the white paper.

Once peaceful reunification is achieved under "one country, two systems," it will lay new foundations for China to make further progress and achieve national rejuvenation. At the same time, it will create huge opportunities for social and economic development in Taiwan and bring tangible benefits to the people of Taiwan, it says.

Peaceful cross-Strait reunification is of benefit not only to the Chinese nation, but to all peoples and the international community as a whole, says the white paper.

Spokesperson's Remarks on White Paper

A spokesperson for the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee made remarks on the newly published white paper on August 10.

In August 1993 and February 2000, the Chinese government published two previous white papers on Taiwan. These two white papers provided a comprehensive and systematic elaboration of the basic principles and policies regarding the resolution of the Taiwan question, said the spokesperson.

As China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability, we now have better conditions, more confidence, and greater capabilities to achieve national reunification. As China embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, it is necessary to issue a new white paper on national reunification, said the spokesperson.

The white paper was released to reiterate the fact that Taiwan is part of China, to demonstrate the resolve of the CPC and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era, the spokesperson said.

Under the current complex international and cross-Strait situation, the release of the white paper is conducive to exposing the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' collusion with external forces in making provocations, as well as their vicious words and deeds that attempt to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity or stand in the way of its reunification, the spokesperson said.

The white paper conveyed the CPC and the Chinese government's willingness to continue to work with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification and win over the understanding and support of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, especially Taiwan compatriots, and the international community, said the spokesperson, adding that the white paper will help pool strength to advance national reunification.

Peaceful cross-Strait reunification is of benefit not only to the Chinese nation, but to all peoples and the international community as a whole. We hope Taiwan compatriots will stand on the right side of history, be proud of their Chinese identity, and fully consider the position and role of Taiwan in China's rejuvenation. We hope they will pursue the greater good of the nation, resolutely oppose separatism and any form of external interference, and make a positive contribution to the just cause of China's peaceful reunification, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Macao compatriots and overseas Chinese will remain committed and further contribute to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and China's peaceful reunification.

The spokesperson also expressed the hope that the international community and all countries that have established diplomatic ties with China will abide by the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related issues, develop better understanding and give more support to the Chinese people for their just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and striving for national reunification.

(Excerpted from articles published by Xinhua, August 10, 2022)

For Your Information

The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification
in the New Era

– People's Republic of China, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and The State Council Information Office, August 2022 –

Preamble

I. Taiwan Is Part of China -- This Is an Indisputable Fact

II. Resolute Efforts of the CPC to Realize China's Complete Reunification

III. China's Complete Reunification Is a Process That Cannot Be Halted

IV. National Reunification in the New Era

V. Bright Prospects for Peaceful Reunification

Conclusion

For the full text of the White Paper, click here.

Sequence of Events Since Visit to Taiwan by Speaker of the
U.S. House of Representatives

Protest in Taiwan against Pelosi visit.

In this supplement, TML is providing information on China's responses to the visit of Speaker of U.S. Congress Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan as well as other notable responses or statements. The material explains why the U.S. stand poses a threat to China's sovereignty even though the U.S. claims to respect the one-China principle.

The information is provided for readers who may only have seen the coverage readily available in Canada so that they can draw warranted conclusions. For example, what was the response of China to the stand, as expressed by the Associated Press on August 8 when it wrote about China's military drills. AP said, "China has ignored calls to calm the tensions, and there was no immediate indication when it would end what amounts to a blockade [of Taiwan]."

Similarly, the Government of Canada website posted the G7 Foreign Ministers' statement, which speaks about "recent and announced threatening actions by the People’s Republic of China (China), particularly live-fire exercises and economic coercion, which risk unnecessary escalation." The G7 said there was nothing significant about Pelosi's visit to China-U.S. relations. The material in this issue puts all of this in perspective. For instance, these materials show the matter is clearly significant to China. What is the aim of declaring that it is of no significance? How will this reduce tensions or calm the situation? What is the aim of blaming China for the tensions in the Taiwan Straits?

It is important to draw warranted conclusions given the escalation of warmongering by the U.S./NATO-led coalitions in the Asia-Pacific as well as Europe.

China Summons U.S. Ambassador
August 2

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng urgently summoned the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on the evening of August 2 and lodged stern representations and strong protests over Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's visit to China's Taiwan region.

Noting that Pelosi risks universal condemnation to deliberately provoke and play with fire, Xie said that this is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xie said, adding that it gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence."

"The move is extremely egregious in nature and the consequences are extremely serious. China will not sit idly by," Xie noted.

Xie said the U.S. government must be held accountable. For a while, the U.S. has said one thing and done another thing, constantly distorted and hollowed out the one-China principle.

It deleted the key expressions such as Taiwan is part of China from the U.S. State Department website, put Taiwan in its so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy," openly upgraded its ties with Taiwan and increased arms sales to the region and supported separatist activities for "Taiwan independence," according to Xie.

He said the U.S. government has indulged rather than restrained Pelosi's willful act, leading to the escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait and seriously undermined the China-U.S. relations.

Noting that the U.S. side shall pay the price for its own mistakes, Xie urged the U.S. to immediately address its wrongdoings, take practical measures to undo the adverse effects caused by Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

The United States must not go further down the wrong path, escalating tensions and making the situation across the Taiwan Strait and China-U.S. relations irreparable, Xie said.

He added that the United States should stop playing the "Taiwan card," stop using Taiwan to contain China in any form, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs.

The United States must take concrete actions to observe the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, deliver on the "five noes" commitment made by the U.S. leadership (i.e. not seek a "new Cold War"; not seek to change China's system; the revitalization of its alliances is not against China; not support "Taiwan independence"; not look for conflict with China), and not go further down the wrong and dangerous path, Xie noted.

Xie stressed that the trend of the times cannot be reversed, the will of the people is not to be defied, and those who play with fire will perish by it.

"Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. Chinese people are not afraid of ghosts, pressure and evil," Xie said.

In the minds of the Chinese people, nothing is more sacred than to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and nothing is more important than safeguarding and realizing national reunification, Xie noted.

He added that no country, no force and no individual should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese government and people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation.

(Xinhua, August 3, 2022)

Statement by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs August 2

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 2 issued a statement on Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's visit to China's Taiwan region. The full text of the statement follows.

On 2 August, in disregard of China's strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China's Taiwan region. This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence." China firmly opposes and sternly condemns this, and has made serious démarche and strong protest to the United States.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This has been clearly recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, 181 countries have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations.

In 1979, the United States made a clear commitment in the China-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations -- "The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan." Congress, as a part of the U.S. Government, is inherently obliged to strictly observe the one-China policy of the U.S. Government and refrain from having any official exchanges with China's Taiwan region. China is all along opposed to the visit to Taiwan by U.S. congressional members, and the U.S. executive branch has the responsibility to stop such visit. Since Speaker Pelosi is the incumbent leader of the U.S. Congress, her visit to and activities in Taiwan, in whatever form and for whatever reason, is a major political provocation to upgrade U.S. official exchanges with Taiwan. China absolutely does not accept this, and the Chinese people absolutely reject this.

The Taiwan question is the most important and most sensitive issue at the very heart of China-U.S. relations. The Taiwan Strait is facing a new round of tensions and severe challenges, and the fundamental cause is the repeated moves by the Taiwan authorities and the United States to change the status quo. The Taiwan authorities have kept seeking U.S. support for their independence agenda. They refuse to recognize the 1992 Consensus, go all out to push forward "de-sinicization," and promote "incremental independence." The United States, for its part, has been attempting to use Taiwan to contain China. It constantly distorts, obscures and hollows out the one-China principle, steps up its official exchanges with Taiwan, and emboldens "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. These moves, like playing with fire, are extremely dangerous. Those who play with fire will perish by it.

The position of the Chinese Government and people on the Taiwan question has been consistent. It is the firm commitment of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the common aspiration and sacred responsibility of all Chinese sons and daughters to realize the complete reunification of the motherland. The will of the people is not to be defied, and the trend of the times cannot be reversed. No country, no forces and no individual should ever misestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese Government and people to defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation. China will definitely take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the U.S. Speaker's visit. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the U.S. side and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

China and the United States are two major countries. The right way for them to deal with each other lies only in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, no-confrontation and win-win cooperation. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, and no other country is entitled to act as a judge on the Taiwan question. China strongly urges the United States to stop playing the "Taiwan card" and using Taiwan to contain China. It should stop meddling on Taiwan and interfering in China's internal affairs. It should stop supporting and conniving at "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in any form. It should stop its acts of saying one thing but doing the opposite on the Taiwan question. It should stop distorting, obscuring and hollowing out the one-China principle. It must take credible actions to observe strictly the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, deliver on the "five noes" commitment made by the U.S. leadership (i.e. not seek a "new Cold War"; not seek to change China's system; the revitalization of its alliances is not against China; not support "Taiwan independence"; not look for conflict with China), and not go further down the wrong and dangerous path.

(Xinhua, August 2, 2022)

Statement by Republic of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
August 2

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba states its firm rejection to the actions aimed at harming the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the People's Republic of China; condemns interference in its internal affairs, and emphasizes its concern over the increasing tensions and further deterioration of the situation concerning Taiwan as a direct result of the aggressive policy and high military presence of the United States and its allies in the Taiwan Strait, military contacts and regular sale of weapons, actions all that undermine peace and international and regional peace.

New provocations, disguised as official contacts or high-level visits deliberately pose further dangers.

Cuba reaffirms its strict adherence to the "one-China" principle and the acknowledgement of Taiwan as an inalienable part of the territory of that country.

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 2758 adopted on October 25, 1971, recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the true and sole legitimate representative of the Chinese people. Today, it has diplomatic relations with 181 countries based on the acknowledgement of the "one-China" principle.

The purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law must be respected without selectivity or double standards.

China's key role as a factor for stability and international balance cannot be disregarded, nor the relevance of its cooperation with developing countries with no political conditions attached.

(Cubaminrex, August 3, 2022)

Remarks of Chinese Foreign Minister
August 3

Placard reads "oppose Pelosi visit to avoid war between two shores" as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in New Taipei City on Aug 3, 2022.

In disregard of China's solemn representations, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brazenly went ahead with her visit to China's Taiwan region, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

This move seriously violates the one-China principle, maliciously infringes on China's sovereignty and blatantly engages in political provocations, which has aroused strong indignation among the Chinese people and widespread opposition from the international community.

It proves once again that some U.S. politicians have become "troublemakers" of China-U.S. relations, and that the United States has become the "biggest destroyer" of peace across the Taiwan Strait and for regional stability.

The United States should not dream of obstructing China's reunification. Taiwan is a part of China. The complete reunification of China is the trend of the times and an inevitability of history. We will leave no room for the "Taiwan independence" forces and external interference.

No matter how the United States supports or connives at the "Taiwan independence" forces, it will be all in vain. The United States will only leave more ugly records of gross meddling in other countries' internal affairs in history. The Taiwan question arose when the country was weak and chaotic at the time, and will surely end with national rejuvenation.

The United States should not fantasize about undermining China's development and revitalization. China has found a correct development path in line with its own national conditions. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, 1.4 billion Chinese people are striding towards the Chinese-style modernization.

We put the development of our country and nation on the basis of our own strength, and are willing to coexist peacefully and develop together with other countries. But we will never allow any country to undermine China's stability and development.

Provoking trouble on the Taiwan question in an attempt to delay China's development and undermine China's peaceful rise will be totally futile and will surely lead to total failure.

The United States should not fantasize about manipulating geopolitical games. Seeking peace, stability, development and win-win cooperation are the common aspirations of regional countries.

The introduction of the Taiwan question into the regional strategy by the United States, which inflates tensions and stokes confrontation, is against the trend of regional development and goes against the expectations of the people in the Asia-Pacific. This is very dangerous and stupid.

The one-China principle has become a basic norm governing international relations and an integral part of the post-Second World War international order.

What the United States should do is to immediately stop violating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stop playing the "Taiwan card" to disrupt the Asia-Pacific region.

The United States should not fantasize about distorting facts at will. The U.S. side claimed that China is escalating the situation, but the basic facts are that the United States first provoked China on the Taiwan question and blatantly violated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The U.S. side claimed that there was a precedent of the U.S. House speaker visiting Taiwan. Yet the basic truth is that past mistakes cannot be used as an excuse to repeat them today.

The U.S. side claimed that it cannot restrain the Congress due to the separation of powers. But the basic norm of international law is that the United States must fulfill its international obligations, and key politicians should not misbehave.

It also claimed that China's pursuit of reunification is a "threat" to Taiwan, but the basic logic is that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China. It is lawful and justified that China upholds territorial integrity and opposes secession.

I want to stress that the one-China principle is the key stabilizing force for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and the three China-U.S. joint communiques are the real "guardrails" for peaceful coexistence between China and the United States.

Clinging to the United States to seek "independence" is a dead end, and attempts to use the Taiwan question to contain China are doomed to failure.

In the face of the great cause of national unification, the Chinese people have the gut not to be misled by fallacies or scared by evils, the ambition to never be intimidated or crushed, the determination to unite as one, and the ability to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity.

(Xinhua, August 3, 2022)

G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement
August 3

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, reaffirm our shared commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and beyond.

We are concerned by recent and announced threatening actions by the People's Republic of China (PRC), particularly live-fire exercises and economic coercion, which risk unnecessary escalation. There is no justification to use a visit as pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait. It is normal and routine for legislators from our countries to travel internationally. The PRC's escalatory response risks increasing tensions and destabilizing the region.

We call on the PRC not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region, and to resolve cross-Strait differences by peaceful means. There is no change in the respective one China policies, where applicable, and basic positions on Taiwan of the G7 members.

We reiterate our shared and steadfast commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encourage all parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, act with transparency, and maintain open lines of communication to prevent misunderstanding.

(Government of Canada website, August 3, 2022)

China Cancels Meeting with Japan over
G7 Statement
August 4

China has cancelled a bilateral meeting between the Chinese and the Japanese foreign ministers in Phnom Penh over the G7's joint statement on Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing on August 4.

"China is no longer planning to hold a meeting in Phnom Penh between the foreign ministers of China and Japan after the Japanese side published a statement jointly with its G7 and EU partners to express ungrounded criticism. The facts are distorted in the statement, besides, it justifies U.S. moves in violation of China's sovereignty. The people of China are highly displeased with this," she said.

(TASS, August 4, 2022)

Global Times Report on G7 Statement
August 5

– Chen Qingqing and Xu Yelu –

With the highly provocative visit of a high-ranking U.S. official to Taiwan being under the spotlight for the past week, the U.S.-led West's wrestling with China has been shifting from preventing a regional military conflict to pressuring China on the global stage by accusing it of causing the rising cross-Strait tensions, like the U.S. always does in confusing right and wrong. As a puppet of the U.S., the G7 censured Beijing's legitimate defense and response to Washington's serious provocation, reflecting its hypocrisy, duplicity and ugliness.

As the one-China principle is universally recognized by the international community and the UN resolution affirms the one-China principle, the U.S.-led small clique can't openly challenge this principle otherwise it's challenging the rule-based world order.

But certain countries and politicians, who have been manipulated by Washington to serve the latter's geopolitical goals by playing the Taiwan card, attempted to separate the island from China with the so-called democratic values and intending to follow the footsteps of the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. From how China reacted now and will react to Pelosi's reckless move with comprehensive countermeasures, those countries and politicians should carefully consider the consequences of challenging China's red line, otherwise, they will pay unbearable prices, experts and officials warned.

Both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Mission to the EU slammed the G7 statement on Thursday [August 4], calling it evil and shameless, which is reminiscent of the "Eight-Power Allied Forces" that invaded China a hundred years ago. The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also firmly refuted the statement, saying that it confused the right with the wrong and its wrong deeds aroused the strong indignation from the Chinese people.

"The U.S. instigated the trouble and the crisis, escalating the situation. If we don't react to such malicious and blatant provocation with countermeasures, how can we stick to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs? How can we uphold the international law and safeguard regional peace?" Wang said during the foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation in Cambodia.

The fundamental reason for the current tension in the Taiwan Strait is that the U.S. ignored China's strong opposition and solemn representation, connived with the U.S. No. 3 political figure to visit the island by taking a U.S. military aircraft, which is a major incident of elevating the U.S.-Taiwan relations, seriously damaging one-China principle and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Thursday.

The U.S. made the malicious provocation first, and China followed with a justifiable defense, Hua said, noting that the G7 nations earlier kept silent and ignored the visit but now have jumped out to accuse China's legitimate reaction, which only exposes their hypocrisy and ugly faces, the spokesperson said.

'Typical Hypocrisy'

After the reckless and dangerous visit of Pelosi prompted a series of countermeasures from China, the G7 foreign ministers along with the High Representative of the EU, issued a joint statement saying that "we are concerned by recent and announced threatening actions" by China, particularly live-fire exercises and "economic coercion," and calling on China not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region.

The statement also said, "there is no change in the respective one-China policies," which, in the eyes of Chinese experts, is a typical hypocrisy of the U.S.-led Western bloc in dealing with the Taiwan question.

On the one hand, the G7 members cooperate with the U.S. to create trouble for China on the question but on the other hand, some countries inside the bloc understand their own interests will be affected if they enrage China on the matter, so they are not on the same page with Washington in provoking China and still claim to uphold the one-China policy, a Beijing-based expert on foreign affairs who preferred not to be named told the Global Times on Thursday.

The incident was planned and provoked singlehandedly by the U.S., and the causes and consequences and what is right and wrong are clear. To avoid this crisis imposed on China, China has already made the greatest diplomatic efforts, but at the same time, China will never tolerate any attempt to create tension, instigate confrontation and incite secession in the region, Wang noted.

At 12:00 pm on Thursday, the People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command Army started to conduct major military exercises and training activities including live-fire drills in six large maritime areas and their air space surrounding the island, which will last until Sunday [August 7 at] noon. Also, starting Wednesday [August 3], Chinese mainland customs authorities suspended imports of citrus fruits and some frozen fish imports from the island. It also suspended exports of natural sand, of which Taiwan reportedly sources over 90 percent from the mainland.

In the meantime, mainland authorities announced Wednesday [August 3] that a number of diehard "Taiwan secessionist" individuals, two funds, and multiple companies related to secessionist activities will be punished in accordance with the law.

The comprehensive measures taken by China now and in the future are necessary and timely defensive countermeasures, which are made after careful consideration and evaluation, Wang said, noting that the purpose of those measures is to safeguard national sovereignty and security, which comply with international and domestic law.

They serve as a warning to those who provoke, and help safeguard the regional stability and peace across the Strait, he said.

The way they're accusing China [which is defending itself] of escalating tensions reminded some experts of the playbook how the U.S.-led West provoked Russia and pushed it into a corner and then accused it for launching military operations in Ukraine. Although the Taiwan question is essentially different from the Ukraine crisis, the Western tactics of instigating conflicts are the same, some experts said.

The U.S., as always, is using G7 as a tool to advance its own interests and agenda. The U.S. is gradually undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by hollowing out its commitment to the one-China policy but then subsequently framing China as the aggressor for responding, Tom Fowdy, a south Korea-based political analyst, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"It is a classic part of the U.S. playbook to do this, and it almost certainly attempts to encourage other countries to also challenge China's red line on Taiwan," he said.

While the Taiwan question is different from the Ukraine crisis, the way that the U.S. seeks to push against other countries' red lines, refuses to compromise and then frames them as aggressors are similar, and also like on the Ukraine issue, the U.S. seeks to build a coalition of countries to oppose China, Fowdy said.

Global Consensus

Despite Washington's ill-intentioned attempts to form small cliques to manipulate the understanding of the Taiwan question, the international community clearly shares the consensus on the matter as when it comes to the Taiwan question, there are undeniable historical facts, solid international law and wide international consensus that confirm the basic truth: There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, which is also explicitly stated in the UN resolution.

In response to Pelosi's visit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his latest press briefing that "our position is very clear, we abide by General Assembly resolutions, by the one-China policy, and that is the orientation that we have in everything we do."

More countries including Cuba, Mexico, Iran, Brazil and south Korea reiterated their adherence to the one-China principle and the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 on Thursday, condemning Pelosi's provocative visit. Multilateral groups such as ASEAN and Arab League also voiced support for the one-China policy on Thursday.

That the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same country is a fact that hundreds of countries recognized when they established diplomatic relations with China. Only when international relations are built under historical and legal contexts, will there be a fair world order, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"If we let the West define this order and reunification can't be realized, it will serve as a turning point for the global community, which means all the international relations would be defined by geopolitical interests rather than justice," Yang said.

The international community clearly understand why the Taiwan question is sensitive to China and where China's red line is, as some voiced opposition to and concerns over Pelosi's visit and the damage it caused.

"We're on a trajectory of escalating conflict and this will certainly make matters worse. It plays well to local politics in the U.S. and in Taiwan, but it does not play well to geostrategic forces that are pushing these two nations apart, Stephen Roach, a Yale University senior fellow and former Federal Reserve economist, was quoted as saying in a report by CNBC on Wednesday.

The leadership in both the U.S. and China to address this conflict is compromised by this basically pouring salt in an open wound for China, he said.

In recent days, a number of U.S. media outlets such as CNBC and the New York Post tried to explain what the "one-China policy" is and why it's important to China. In the eyes of the Chinese public and some experts, Pelosi's visit did only one favorable thing: help more American people understand what China's core interest is.

And when the core interest is threatened, the Chinese government will not hesitate to roll out massive and strong measures and let the provocateurs feel the pain. These countermeasures also serve as a warning to other Western politicians who intend to follow the U.S. path, experts said.

Recently, the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock claimed that Germany will support the island of Taiwan if the mainland conducts military actions; some UK lawmakers said they're also planning to visit the island later this year. Anti-China politicians in countries like Lithuania also played the Taiwan card but then faced unaffordable fallout for trampling on one-China principle.

Those anti-China politicians should understand that no matter how high they jump on the Taiwan question and how much they advocate, those moves won't affect our strong determination and will in handling the Taiwan question, Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

"When it comes to the Taiwan question, those countries need to be cautious, otherwise, the consequences could be beyond their imagination and become unbearable," he said.

(Global Times Report on G7 Statement)

Vietnam Stresses Dialogue, Trust, Responsibility at East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting
August 5

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stressed the importance of dialogue, trust, and sense of responsibility while attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh on August 5.

The event took place as part of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-55) and related meetings in the capital city of Cambodia. It drew the participation of foreign ministers from ASEAN member states and EAS partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the U.S.

Participants affirmed the specialness of the EAS, a forum established by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for regional leaders to discuss strategic issues, thus creating prerequisites for regional cooperation to overcome uncertainties and complexities for common peace, security, and prosperity in the region.

[...]

Sharing concerns over emerging complex developments in the East Sea/South China Sea, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, and the Taiwan Strait, the ministers affirmed the EAS's strategic value of creating a favourable environment for straightforward dialogue, close consultation, and sincere cooperation for a region of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on international issues.

[...]

Regarding recent developments in the region, the minister repeated ASEAN and Vietnam's stance that supports the "one-China" policy. He called on the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, avoid complicating the situation, peacefully resolve disagreements and disputes, and adhere to international law, the UN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

(Nhan Dan, August 5, 2022)

Remarks by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
August 9

On August 9, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu took questions from China Central Television and China Global Television Network on Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Q1: Over the past few days, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has caused strong public outrage in China. What's your take on this?

Ma: This is just a political farce, and a dangerous, malicious provocation. Speaker Pelosi made this provocative visit in disregard of China's warning. The visit infringed on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity; violated the one-China principle and provisions in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués; affected the political foundation of China-U.S. relations; and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It is unacceptable to the Chinese people. China has every reason to respond with countermeasures. The incident is also a lesson, revealing to the world U.S. motives to contain China with Taiwan and the intention of the Taiwan authorities to seek American support for independence. In its aftermath, the one-China consensus of the international community emerged stronger, and the U.S. attempt to play the "Taiwan card" and contain China proved more unpopular and futile.

Q2: The U.S. claims that there is no change to its one-China policy and that Pelosi's visit does not violate the one-China policy. How would you respond to that?

Ma: The one-China principle is the consensus of the international community. It is also the political foundation on which China develops relations with other countries. It is a red line that must not be crossed. What does one China mean? There can only be one answer. That is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is a basic norm of international relations confirmed by UNGA Resolution 2758. It is a commitment made by the U.S. in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. The principle, written down in black and white, is crystal clear. There is no room for ambiguity or arbitrary interpretation.

The U.S. claims that there is no change in its one-China policy. But in fact, it has been undermining the one-China principle over the years. It has put into its one-China policy some unilateral stuff, including the Taiwan Relations Act and the "Six Assurances." This is against international law. China has never accepted it and has always opposed it.

The U.S. also claims that Pelosi's visit does not violate the one-China policy. The three joint communiqués provide that the U.S. can only maintain cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations with Taiwan. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are all part of the U.S. Government. Pelosi is the number three figure in the U.S. Government. During her stay in Taiwan, she was speaking on behalf of the U.S. from the beginning to the end. Even she herself admits that it is an official visit. If this is not official engagement, then what is it?

Q3: The U.S. claims that the change to the status quo that's prevailed with regard to Taiwan for more than 40 years is coming from Beijing, not from the U.S. What is your view on this?

Ma: So what is the status quo of the Taiwan Strait? The status quo is that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China, Taiwan is part of China, and neither China's sovereignty nor its territorial integrity is ever divided. It is not China who is changing the status quo, but the U.S. and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Over the years, the U.S. has been colluding with the Taiwan authorities, and elevating its substantive relations with Taiwan. It has sold large amounts of weapons to Taiwan, helped it develop so-called "asymmetric capabilities," and emboldened the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. If these are not changing the status quo, what are they?

Refusing to recognize the 1992 Consensus, the DPP authorities have insisted on pushing for "incremental independence", and redoubled efforts to remove the Chinese identity of Taiwan. If these are not changing the status quo, what are they?

China's countermeasures are a necessary and legitimate response to the provocations by the U.S. and the "Taiwan independence" forces. They are just and lawful.

Q4: The U.S. says it will not seek and does not want a crisis, and China should take full responsibility for the current escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait. What is your take on this?

Ma: This is confounding black and white. The crisis is unilaterally provoked by the U.S. Despite China's many representations, the U.S. still allowed Pelosi to visit Taiwan. Faced with this, China has no choice but to fight back and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The responsibility and consequence of the current tensions have to be borne by the U.S. and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Q5: The U.S. claims that China's military exercise and crossing of the median line of the Taiwan Strait are overreaction that has escalated the situation and threatened regional peace and stability. What is your take?

Ma: It is the U.S. that is threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part of China's territory. There is no such thing as a median line in the Strait. The Chinese armed forces conduct military exercises in waters off China's Taiwan island to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. Our measures are open and proportionate. They are in line with both domestic law and international law and practices. They are beyond reproach.

The U.S. and its allies often come to the adjacent waters of China, flexing muscles and stirring up troubles. They conduct up to a hundred military exercises each year. They, instead of someone else, are the ones that overreact and escalate the situation.

Q6: The U.S. claims that China's decision to suspend cooperation with the U.S. in multiple areas does not punish Washington but the whole world. What is your comment?

Ma: The U.S. cannot represent the whole world. China has warned the U.S. well in advance that should Pelosi visit Taiwan, it would cause a crisis and major disruptions to China-U.S. exchange and cooperation. Unfortunately, the U.S. side ignored that, and went ahead with the visit. The Taiwan question is at the very heart of China's core interests. The United States, while undermining China's core interests, is asking for China's cooperation where they need it. What kind of logic is this? China's decision to cancel or suspend cooperation in some areas does not come without warning. We say what we mean and mean what we say. There is no reason why the U.S. should feel surprised or upset.

Let me stress this: as a responsible major country, China will, as always, take an active part in international cooperation on climate change and other matters. We make our own contribution to the tackling of global challenges. What the U.S. should do is to fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations. It should stop making excuses for its own mistakes.

Q7: Some in the U.S. compare China's military drills in the Taiwan Strait to Russia's "invasion of Ukraine," which they claim will be denounced by the international community. What is your comment on that?

Ma: Such a claim is ill-intentioned. The Taiwan question is entirely China's internal affair. It is different from the Ukraine issue. The U.S. always stokes tension and provokes troubles. Preliminary numbers show that between the end of the Second World War and 2001, there were 248 armed conflicts in 153 regions across the world, among which 201 were initiated by the U.S. Since 2001, wars and military operations launched by the U.S. have resulted in over 800,000 deaths and tens of millions displaced from home. After starting so many wars and killing so many civilians to preserve its hegemony, the U.S. is now creating troubles in the Taiwan Strait. How could we possibly allow this to happen?

Q8: A few days ago, the G7 foreign ministers issued a statement regarding Taiwan with negative language, expressing so-called "concern" over China's actions. Meanwhile we see an increasing number of countries and international organizations speaking out in support of China's justified measures. What is your take?

Ma: More than 170 countries and many international organizations have spoken up for what is right, reaffirming their commitment to the one-China principle and expressing support for China in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Secretary-General have stated that the UN will continue to adhere to UNGA Resolution 2758, the centerpiece of which is the one-China principle. Compared with over 170 countries, what do G7 think they are? Who cares what they say?

Q9: The U.S. claims that if China continues to take more countermeasures, the U.S. will be forced to respond, which may lead to a spiral of escalation. What is your view on what may happen next?

Ma: It has been proved time and again that the U.S. is the biggest troublemaker of cross-Strait peace and regional stability. If the international community allows the U.S. to do what it wants, the UN Charter will be just a sheet of paper, and the law of the jungle will prevail. In the end, it will be the developing countries that suffer.

The Chinese people are not to be misled by fallacies or scared by evils, and will never waver in defending our core interests. We want to stress to the U.S.: do not act recklessly, and stop going further down on this doomed path. Give up the attempt to use Taiwan to contain China, play no games but return to the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués, and do the right things and take concrete steps to facilitate the steady development of China-U.S. relations.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China)

Statement of People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command
August 10

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has accomplished all tasks in the series of joint military operations carried out recently in the waters and airspace around the Taiwan Island, a spokesperson with the Command said Wednesday [August 10].

The operations involving troops of multiple services effectively tested the armed forces' integrated combat ability, said Shi Yi, spokesperson with the Command.

The Command will closely follow the development of the situation across the Taiwan Strait, continue to carry out military training for war preparedness, and organize normalized combat-readiness security patrol in the Taiwan Strait to defend China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Shi said.

The military operations around the Taiwan Island began on the night of August 2, when Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, landed in China's Taiwan region.

The rocket force under the Command launched multiple types of conventional missiles targeting designated maritime areas to the east of the island of Taiwan while the army conducted precision strikes on specific areas in the eastern part of the Taiwan Strait, according to Shi.

Over the past few days, troops from the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Logistic Support Force under the Eastern Theater Command conducted joint exercises and training in the waters and airspace off the northern, southwestern and southeastern coasts of the island, including operations of joint blockade, assault on ground and sea targets, airspace control, joint anti-submarine drill, and integrated logistics and support.

The armed forces' integrated combat ability has been improved and their readiness in contingency response been tested, Shi said.

New armaments including stealth fighters, multiple launch rocket systems and YY-20 refueling aircraft were applied in the operations.

(Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army)

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Regular Press Conference, Excerpts

August 10

The following are excerpts from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's regular press conference on August 10 pertaining to the U.S. provocation on Taiwan.

[...]

China Central Television: Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry both said that China's decision to suspend bilateral climate talks with the U.S. doesn't punish the U.S. -- it punishes the world. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have taken note of the relevant remarks of the U.S. side. I would like to stress the following points:

First, the measure taken by the Chinese side is part of our legitimate and reasonable countermeasures against Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. For quite some time, we have repeatedly stressed to the U.S. side that the one-China principle is the political foundation on which China develops bilateral relations with other countries. In disregard of China's strong opposition, Speaker Pelosi went ahead with the provocative visit to China's Taiwan region, which seriously violated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This visit took place with the U.S. government's connivance and support. The visit has undermined the political foundation of the China-U.S. relations and will inevitably cause major disruption to the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. China had made those points perfectly clear long beforehand. We said it and we mean it. The U.S. has no reason to feel surprised.

Second, due to the egregious impact of Pelosi's visit to China's Taiwan region, China has suspended its climate talks with the U.S. All consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the U.S. As a responsible major country, China will continue to actively participate in international and multilateral cooperation on climate change. China is a country committed to real action, not just words on global climate governance. We have made a solemn pledge to strive to [have carbon dioxide emissions reach their peak] before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. We are endeavoring to formulate and implement a "1+N" policy framework for low-carbon development and green transition. China will staunchly pursue its carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, actively participate in main-channel negotiations on climate change, provide other developing countries with support and help as our ability permits, and make our own contributions to tackling the global climate challenge.

Third, the U.S. side should earnestly shoulder its historical responsibilities and obligations on climate change. It is our consistent belief that to address climate change, it is not enough to just chant slogans without doing one's part. Not long ago, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that it would limit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's powers to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, the U.S. has been sanctioning and suppressing China's solar companies citing the so-called Xinjiang-related issues as a pretext, which has dealt a direct blow to the atmosphere of our cooperation and the climate response of China and other countries. These self-contradictory moves make the world question the U.S.'s capability and seriousness on addressing climate change. The U.S. should earnestly deliver on its historical responsibilities and due obligations on climate change and stop looking around for excuses for its inaction.

Bloomberg: About China's military drills around the island of Taiwan, can you confirm are they ongoing or have they already ended?

Wang Wenbin: As I have made clear, China's military drills in the waters surrounding our own territory are justified, legitimate and lawful. They are a warning to the provocateurs, and a punishment for the "Taiwan independence" forces. I would refer you to the Chinese military for the specific question you raised.

[...]

China Review News: According to reports, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi questioned in an interview why her trip to Taiwan has received so much attention, while the visit of a group of U.S. Senators to Taiwan several months earlier had no impact. She also said, "We cannot allow the Chinese government to isolate Taiwan." What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have always opposed visits to Taiwan by members of the U.S. Congress. Nancy Pelosi is the third highest-ranking political figure in the U.S. She travelled to Taiwan on a U.S. military aircraft. While she was there, she repeatedly mentioned herself being there on behalf of the U.S. and described the trip as an official visit. The DPP [the rulingDemocratic Progressive Party in Taiwan] authorities touted the visit as a major breakthrough in Taiwan-U.S. relations. All these show that Pelosi's visit to Taiwan is a major political provocation that upgrades U.S.-Taiwan exchanges. This goes against the U.S.'s commitment of only maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan in the Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. This goes against the one-China principle, which is widely accepted by the international community and has been affirmed by UNGA Resolution 2758. This goes against the principle in international law of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, which is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Since four months ago, China has time and again made clear to the U.S. through multiple channels and at various levels our stern position of firmly opposing Pelosi's visit to the Taiwan region. However, the U.S. has chosen to pursue the wrong course of action in disregard of China's dissuasion and warnings. It is the U.S. that has gone back on its commitment, not China. It is the U.S. that has infringed on China's sovereignty, not the other way round. It is the U.S. that connives at and supports "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, not China conniving at and supporting separatist activities in the U.S. The U.S. made the provocation first, and China has been compelled to take legitimate countermeasures, which are justified, lawful, necessary and proportionate.

The U.S. has been going further down the path of fudging, hollowing out and distorting the one-China principle, and yet it accused China of changing the status quo. The U.S. conducts more than one hundred military drills in waters around China on an annual basis, and yet it accused China of overreacting. This is gangster logic. China does not accept it, nor will the international community recognize it.

China will not hesitate to fight back each time the U.S. makes a serious provocation that violates China's sovereignty and interferes in China's internal affairs. We will never allow our sovereignty and territorial integrity to be trampled and sabotaged.

If the U.S. truly hopes to adhere to international law and uphold all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity as it claims to, it should play no games but return to the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués. The U.S. must not act recklessly, and stop going further down on the doomed path. The U.S. should give up the attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and do right things and take concrete steps to facilitate peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

[...]

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China)

From the Archives of the Party Press

The Two Chinas Policy

– TML Daily, February 16, 1996 –

Taiwan or Formosa is a large island off the coast of China, in the China Sea, to which the defeated armies of Chiang Kai-shek fled in 1949. Chiang Kai-shek's island "Republic of China" remained the "representative" of China in the United Nations for more than two decades. It even occupied a permanent seat on the Security Council. It was given this role by the need of U.S. imperialism to interfere with the rise of a strong central state in China, a state which could withstand foreign interference and subversion, and safeguard its own interests. For over a hundred and fifty years China had been forcibly divided by the colonialists and imperialists, and its people humiliated and ignominiously reduced to coolies, a source of cheap labour worldwide. U.S. imperialism was forced to abandon its policy by 1979 when it finally acknowledged the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole state of the whole of China.

U.S. imperialism had calculated that China's "market socialism" and the foreign finance capital pouring into the PRC would subvert the Chinese state, creating a weakened China, once again subservient to European and North American interests. The U.S. imperialists were confident and boasting that the occupation of Tienanmen square in April-June of 1989 would force the state of the PRC to submit to foreign subversion. This, they hoped, would be the prelude to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

To their consternation the PRC state did not collapse, but their disappointment was soon assuaged with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. However, for U.S. imperialism and others, this was not enough. They calculated that the end of the cold war meant China was certainly within their grasp. More than ever they wanted to weaken the central state of the PRC. Using the hypocrisy of bringing "Western democracy" and "human rights" to China they have created one diversion after another. All have failed to achieve their goal of subverting the Chinese state. It seems almost in exasperation that the U.S. imperialists and others have dredged up, once again, a "Two Chinas" policy. They cannot, nonetheless, go back to the fifties and declare Taiwan as the "sole representative" of China. That would be laughable. The recognition of Taiwan as not being part of China is to grossly interfere in China's affairs in order to destabilize the PRC state.

It is our opinion that the PRC will not submit to this subversion of its state either through the hoax of "Western" democracy and human rights or through this bankrupt "two Chinas policy" or "one China-one Taiwan policy." The people of the entirety of China can have their dignity, their prosperity, peace and future only as an independent people free from outside interference, settling their own affairs by themselves. We are convinced they will not permit the state of the PRC to be subverted in the interests of imperialism and internal reaction. On the contrary, they will take the deep-going revolutionary reforms necessary in order to pursue their independent path.

The Sovereignty of China and U.S. Imperialism

– TML Daily, March 18, 1996 –

Li Peng, Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC) declared in Beijing yesterday that "The question of Taiwan is China's internal affair, pure and simple, so no foreign forces should attempt to interfere in any form. If some people attempt to stage a show of force in the Taiwan Strait, this would be of no help....On the contrary, this would aggravate and complicate the situation."

Li Peng also stated that "If we look at the fundamental causes behind the current tension and confusion in Taiwan we can see that they are the grave consequences arising from the activities carried out by certain leaders of the Taiwan authorities, both in Taiwan and in the international community, to create two Chinas and the independence of Taiwan....What is most important is that the leader of Taiwan, no matter how he is selected, should refrain from carrying out activities aimed at creating two Chinas, one China-one Taiwan, or leading to the independence of Taiwan in the future, not only in words but most importantly in deeds..."

Li also stated that the PRC's military exercises are going on normally and "in keeping with common international practice.... So far, China's military exercises have been confined to the areas defined in the announcements made public beforehand and are proceeding smoothly..."

White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta issued threats the same day against the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. He used the language of imperialist gangsters according to which the PRC should "back off" and denounced the military exercises of the PRC as "provocative war games near Taiwan." Speaking on the CBS "Face the Nation" program, Panetta mixed threats and gangster language with words of peace as he knew quite well that U.S. imperialism has no business meddling in the internal affairs of the PRC. An administration whose policy is based on the medieval dictum "Might Makes Right" is "advising" the PRC about what it should or should not do or what it can and cannot do. What will be the definition of a sovereign power if a sovereign power can be told what to do?!

These imperialists who have their armed forces deployed all over the world, whose seas and oceans are also filled with their warships are expressing the "hope" that the PRC "would back off and resort to a peaceful solution to that situation." How can there be a peaceful solution when these imperialists are egging on the Taiwanese to do otherwise and arming them to the teeth?

Panetta had the gall to describe the blatant interference of U.S. imperialism into the internal affairs of the PRC by saying, "Our steps in that area have been prudent, they have been cautious, but they've also been very clear....We want a peaceful solution to that situation, and we think that the acts that they've taken in the period of the last few weeks have been reckless, and frankly provocative....Our steps have been careful, they've been prudent. But they've also been very clear in terms of what needs to happen....The United States has a policy in China that goes back really to when Nixon opened up our relationship with China. We believe in a one-China policy."

According to the news agencies, another servant of the "White House" tried to cunningly transform the entire issue of the right of sovereign nations to defend their territorial waters into one of "transit" and declared that we "will not forfeit that right to transit international waters in a response to threats from any nation."

Another reactionary, this time the Chairman of the U.S. imperialist Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jesse Helms, architect of the notorious Helms-Burton Bill against Cuba, interviewed on another television program, said, "You bet!" when asked if he would be willing to use military force if China invaded Taiwan." On CNN's "Evans and Novak" program, Helms said the "entire U.S. government" is ready to "take whatever action is necessary" against China.

Helms said he personally believes Taiwan ought to be invited back to the UN. But he said he and the White House agree that "This situation regarding Taiwan is absolutely unsatisfactory." And, he added, "if they think the United States is not going to stand up for the best interests of Taiwan, in a provocation delivered by the Chinese regime, then those people in Beijing have lost their minds."

TML Daily resolutely denounces the U.S. imperialists for their continuation of the cold war and their brazen policies of intervention in the internal affairs of other countries and their creation of pretexts to justify their aggression against other peoples and nations. The PRC is not wrong in defending the sovereignty of China and declaring that it will use all means including force in order to bring Taiwan back into the fold of sovereign Chinese territory. It is the U.S. imperialists who are arming the reactionaries in Taiwan as they use the island for their own ends. These provocative and war-like threats from U.S. imperialism are the source of a war danger which is extremely detrimental to the peace and security of the peoples and nations of the world. All the peace and justice-loving people of the world must demand that U.S. imperialism refrain from its perilous path of creating a unipolar world under its dictate. All countries, big or small, are equal and must be treated equally. Only in this manner can a peaceful and secure world be created. U.S. imperialism is the enemy of a truly democratic and peaceful world and must be resolutely opposed.

China Expresses Indignation at U.S. Interference
in Internal Affairs

– TML Daily, March 22, 1996 –

Under the title "China Expresses Strong Indignation at U.S. Interference in Internal Affairs," China News Agency issued the following release on March 21, from Beijing:

"Foreign Ministry spokesman, Shen Guofang, again expressed China's resentment at US interference in China's internal affairs. Mr. Shen was responding to a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 19 regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait. He noted that the resolution openly asked the Clinton administration for help to "defend Taiwan." It severely violated China's sovereignty and was a wanton interference in China's internal affairs. The spokesman added that the "disgusting conduct" of the U.S. had led to a further deterioration in the tense state that existed over the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese official reiterated China's position when he said that the Taiwan issue was purely China's internal affair and that foreign interference would not be allowed. He noted that Taiwan was sacred Chinese territory, not a U.S. protectorate. Mr. Shen said that some U.S. congressmen had defied Chinese national sentiment and had attempted to intimidate and obstruct the strong desire of all Chinese for reunification of the motherland. The Chinese official said that all such attempts were doomed to failure. China firmly maintained its position respecting its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Mr. Shen. He added that the Chinese side had asked the U.S. to observe the principles of the Sino-American joint communiques as well as comply with the elementary requirements of international law. The U.S. had to immediately stop infringing on China's sovereignty and interfering in its internal affairs. Mr. Shen also criticized U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He noted that the U.S. was responsible for an increasingly tense state across the Taiwan Strait through its sale of arms. The Chinese official said it was irresponsible of the U.S. to offer arms to this sensitive region at a sensitive time."

TML Daily considers this stand of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to be a just one that deserves the support of all justice and peace-loving people of the world. The U.S. Congress and the U.S. administration have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, in this particular case the People's Republic of China. The U.S. even wants to arm Taiwan with sophisticated weapons and literally drag the situation back to the period of the civil war in the forties by fomenting a new war at this time. TML Daily resolutely condemns the U.S. House of Representatives for its resolution on "defending Taiwan" and the U.S. policy of arming Taiwan, considering it as its "protectorate" and inciting various elements in order to foment a civil war in China. TML Daily also resolutely opposes the U.S. view that it can dictate what a country can or cannot do in terms of its own internal affairs as it attempts with Cuba. In this particular case, it is telling the PRC to be "peaceful" about an affair which has nothing to do with the U.S.

The struggle of the PRC for its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that of Cuba and other countries are historic and crucial struggles for the working class and peoples of the world to escape the international and national mayhem which the imperialist countries led by U.S. imperialism are organizing in the economic, political, cultural, military and other spheres of human activity. This struggle deserves the support of the working class and broad masses of the people as it is in the final analysis a struggle in their own interests.

China Protests U.S. Missile Sale to Taiwan

– TML Daily, August 23, 1996 –

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the planned sale of the Avenger anti-aircraft missile system by the U.S. to Taiwan violates the Communiqués governing relations between China and the U.S. The Ministry asked the American government to stop the deal, warning of possible repercussions. In response the U.S. State Department argued that the system was purely defensive and "consistent with U.S. policy on arms sales to Taiwan."

Just last week U.S. imperialism allowed a transit visa for stopovers in New York for Vice-President and Premier of Taiwan, Lien Chan. The Chinese denounced this provocation as an attempt to reestablish the "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" policy.

The planned sale to Taiwan of sophisticated military systems is a further provocation that will only increase tension. Arms sales such as these by U.S. imperialism are another factor for a cataclysmic world war.

U.S. Imperialist Chieftain Clinton Issues
Threats Against Asia

– TML Daily, November 29, 1996 –

Under the hoax of providing so-called "regional stability," U.S. imperialist chieftain Bill Clinton last week issued threats against the peoples of Asia, warning them to submit to his military might. "First we share the view of almost every nation in Asia that a strong American security presence remains the bedrock for regional stability," said Clinton, on the eve of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Manila. Which particular "nation in Asia" wants a "strong American security presence" Clinton did not specify. Could he be speaking about the People's Republic of China, or the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Baathist Republic of Iraq? No, he had in mind the Asia of the monopolies, those who are paying the U.S. imperialist mercenaries to protect them from the wrath of the peoples' revolutions in Asia.

"We will maintain about 100,000 troops across the Pacific just as we maintain about 100,000 troops in Europe. We will keep them well-trained, well-equipped and well-prepared," Clinton said with great assurance. "We will continue to revitalise our core alliances, both bilaterally and regionally. These efforts, let me say clearly, are not directed against any nation. They are intended to advance security and stability for everyone so that we can grow together and work together, all of us, in the new century," Clinton said. If people were to go strictly by what Clinton so brazenly states, and the actions of his military, they would become extremely alarmed at how boldly and openly U.S. imperialism is attempting to establish a "unipolar world" under its own dictate!

The U.S. aggressive troops in Asia are anchored by their navy, with fleets in the Pacific proper, off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, encircling the island of Taiwan, prowling the waters of the Indonesian Archipelago, the Persian Gulf, and elsewhere. These naval fleets are centred around aircraft carrier battle groups and are bolstered with submarines that can be virtually anywhere. They also have various land bases such as in south Korea, Okinawa, Guam, Australia, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in Asia. The massive U.S. military force in Asia is armed with nuclear weapons.

This "strong American security presence" is the bedrock of the U.S. imperialists' threats against the security and well-being of the peoples of Asia and the world. This "security presence" is the greatest factor for war in Asia and the world, and a constant threat to the sovereignty and independence of every Asian nation. The U.S. military has directly slaughtered millions of Asians in Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and elsewhere, dropped atomic bombs on two civilian Japanese targets, and has been the protector and source of weapons for the most reactionary and bloodthirsty regimes the world has ever seen, such as the mass-murderer Suharto and his band of thugs in Indonesia who were responsible for slaughtering over one million communists and their supporters, and the renegade fascist gang in Taiwan.

As the twentieth century draws to a close, it is the People's Republic of China (PRC) that is singled out and warned by U.S. imperialist chieftain Clinton, the self-styled biggest empire-builder of them all. Accept the carrot of acquiescence or suffer the consequence of imperialist war, Clinton warns. "The direction China takes in the years to come...will help to decide whether the next century is one of conflict or cooperation," Clinton declared with much bravado. Bill Clinton could not be farther from the truth. It is not the PRC, but the peoples of Asia and the world who will determine "whether the next century is one of conflict or cooperation." As long as there is imperialism there will be danger of conflict. As soon as imperialism is overthrown there will be cooperation.

How are the peoples of China and the rest of Asia to be "contained" by U.S. imperialism? Will it be by annihilating the Korean people, occupying the whole of the Korean Peninsula with a joint U.S.-Japanese military force and striking at China from the east, and using Taiwan and Australia to strike from the west, meanwhile hitting at Iran and other countries from its bases in the Persian Gulf? To accomplish this, U.S. imperialism needs the control and backing of Europe with its industrial and financial strength, and a pacified Russia, which it is attempting to do through its expansion of NATO up to Russia's borders. But this is going to be tough going as Europe of the monopolies has its own schemes of establishing a "unipolar world" under its own dictate.

Next to Canada, Asia is U.S. imperialism's biggest trading zone. Eleven per cent of U.S. exports are to Japan, 6.8 per cent to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and nearly 13 per cent to other parts of Asia, principally China. Its exports to the APEC economies are worth $360 billion and its imports are much larger at $508 billion. U.S. direct investment in nine East Asian countries alone is now approximately $56 billion in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and China. Surplus product from these areas plus Japan is being massively invested in the U.S. and is greatly responsible for funding its huge military.

Imperialists eventually become embroiled in war, and when they are out to subjugate the entire world, like U.S. imperialism, this can only mean a catastrophic world war. Contrary to the bragging of Clinton, it is the U.S. armed forces that are the greatest threat to the security and stability of Asia. The U.S. has not learned from its previous disasters in Asia since the Second World War, where it has not been able to defeat the people. Maybe it wants the twenty-first century to teach it the greatest lesson, that People's Asia will be the "bedrock for regional" and world stability. Alongside the working class and peoples of Europe and North America and the entire world, the Asian people will yet teach the U.S. imperialists their final lesson by overthrowing them and all other imperialists in Asia, and replacing Asia of the monopolies with Asia of the fraternal peoples, a People's Asia that is fraternal to all the peoples of the world.

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Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca

(With files from Global Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, AP, NBC)

(With files from Global Times, Xinhua)

Contents

Protest in Taiwan against Pelosi visit.

(Xinhua, August 3, 2022)

(Xinhua, August 2, 2022)

(Cubaminrex, August 3, 2022)

Placard reads "oppose Pelosi visit to avoid war between two shores" as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in New Taipei City on Aug 3, 2022.

(Government of Canada website, August 3, 2022)

(TASS, August 4, 2022)

(Global Times Report on G7 Statement)

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China)

(Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army)

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China)