CHINA: In a new mode of retaliation that has evolved beyond military exercises, including launching missiles and deploying warplanes and warships, China announced on Friday that it is halting important deliberations with the US on critical topics.
The topics range from climate change to military relations and anti-drug efforts as a harsh response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan earlier this week.
This is another response in addition to the various earlier retaliatory responses launched by China to punish Washington over its interference in Taiwan’s issue of sovereignty.
This comes at a crucial time as China continues to launch missile attacks over the Taiwan Strait, even confirmed by Japanese forces, representing a state of “significant escalation” per the statement by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Beijing also announced sanctions on Pelosi and her family following her meeting with the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has also issued a statement on China’s deliberate attempts to demobilise and demotivate its efforts to maintain its sovereignty, declaring the missile drills as an attack on freedom and independence.
The Ministry said, “We condemn the Communist military for deliberately crossing the median line of the strait and harassing the sea and air around Taiwan.”
The Ministry claims 68 Chinese planes and 13 warships crossed the median line on Friday.
On another note, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assured that the looming crisis between Taiwan and China is highly unlikely to cause any disruption in the Indian economy as the island nation only accounts for 0.7% of India’s overall trade and the capital that flows from the island is also not very high.
Also Read: China And Taiwan Relations: A History Marred By War, Identity And Territorial Politics
