China called in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China US Ambassador to Beijing Nicholas Burns against the backdrop of a visit to the island of Taiwan by Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Nancy Pelosi, the third person in the power hierarchy in the American leadership. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng on Tuesday, August 2, expressed a “strong protest” to Washington.
“This move is extremely egregious and the consequences will be extremely serious,” Xie was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency. “China will by no means be watching this indifferently,” the diplomat stressed.
Xie Feng noted that the United States “should pay for its mistakes” and urged Washington to “immediately correct the wrong actions, take practical measures to eliminate the negative consequences caused by Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.”
Chinese military on high alert
The Chinese military said it was on “high alert” and would “launch a series of targeted military operations in response” to the visit. They announced plans to conduct a series of military exercises in the waters around the island on 3 August.
Meanwhile, as reported by the Chinese English-language publication Global Times, the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) has already begun exercises near Taiwan.
Director of the Arms Control Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Fu Cong, in turn, did not completely rule out a military scenario: “As for Taiwan and the unification of China, our position is that we are doing everything possible for this peacefully, but we do not abandon the military option. “.
Chinese ambassador to UK threatens London with consequences
In turn, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang threatened “serious consequences” if a delegation of British MPs visits Taiwan. “We urge the British side to abide by the joint Sino-British communiqué and not to underestimate the extreme sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, not to follow in the footsteps of the United States,” the diplomat said.
Airplane with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Landed at Taipei Airport in Taiwan on August 2. Chinese TV channel CGTN reported that Chinese fighters at the time of the plane approaching with Pelosi, they crossed the Taiwan Strait towards the island.
Pelosi Asian Tour
Reuters reported, citing sources, that Pelosi planned to meet with a group of Taiwanese public figures at the National Museum of Human Rights in Xinbei City, as well as with Taiwan’s chief of staff, Tsai Ing-wen. According to The Washington Post, Pelosi also wanted to talk to Mark Liu, chairman of Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Nancy Pelosi’s Asian tour began on July 31st. The trip program included visits to Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, warned the United States against “playing with fire” regarding Washington’s position on Taiwan.
First visit by a Speaker of the House of Representatives in 25 years
This is the first visit in 25 years. Speaker of the House of Representatives US Congress on Taiwan.
US Secretary of State – Anthony Blinken pointed out that the Congress is independent from the White House, an equal branch of government, so the decision to travel is “completely up to the speaker.”
See also:
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
The new silk road already exists
The new silk road has become a reality – if anyone else had questions about this. The Belt and Road Initiative launched by the Chinese authorities in 2013 is becoming more concrete every day.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
8 countries, 18 days, 12 thousand kilometers
Since 2017, trains from China have been coming directly to London. And there are more and more of them. To get from the Chinese city of Yiwu to the British capital, this train covered 12 thousand kilometers in 18 days. In the photo: the meeting of the “First Sino-European Freight Train” on its return from the UK to China, April 2017.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
Explosive traffic growth
In 2011, a freight train from China came to Duisburg, Germany, once a month. Today, 35 trains arrive every week. Duisburg is therefore called “the most Chinese city in Germany”. Rail transportation does not seem to be very profitable, so the Chinese authorities subsidize it. Data on the size of subsidies differ, and Beijing does not comment on them.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
“The most Chinese city in Germany”
Supplies from China gave impetus to the development of the largest river port in the world in Duisburg. The traditional business of trading in steel and coal is in crisis. “Deals with China have been a key growth segment for Duisburg,” says port manager Erich Staake. After 300 years of existence, the port has become a key transshipment point in trade between China and the European Union.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
First train from China to Vienna
Last year, the first train along the New Silk Road arrived in Vienna. At the end of 2018, Chinese trains through Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus were sent on a regular basis to 14 European countries – from Spain and Great Britain to Estonia and Finland. By next year, the Chinese authorities hope to bring the number of trains arriving in Europe to 5,000.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
China provides access to European ports
With the purchase of the largest port in Greece, Piraeus, China has taken an important step towards strengthening its transit positions in the European Union. 51 percent of the port’s shares are now owned by the state-owned Chinese company COSCO. But this is only the beginning: Beijing is also involving other EU countries in the project to rebuild the Silk Road, which should be completed by 2050.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
Italy: surprise for European partners
On March 24, 2019, Italy became the first of the G7 countries to declare its readiness to join the PRC initiative. In practice, this will give China, for example, priority access to the strategically important ports of Genoa and Trieste. In the EU, the actions of Rome did not arouse enthusiasm: therefore, the President of France held a meeting with the President of China at the end of March, inviting the German Chancellor and the head of the European Commission to it.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
EU and China: risk reassessment
“If some countries believe that tricky deals can be made with the Chinese, then they will soon be surprised to find themselves dependent (on them. – Ed.),” German Foreign Minister Heiko Mas said, commenting on Italy’s decision to join the One Belt project. and one way. In this light, the German authorities propose to conclude a memorandum between the EU and China, the same for all EU member states.
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
Europeans: imbalance in trade with China
“Each week, five fully loaded trains depart from Chongqing for Germany, but only one such train goes in the opposite direction,” said Jörg Wutke, chairman of the EU Chamber of Commerce for China. The growing distrust of Brussels was expressed by the head of the European Commission, Juncker, calling China a “competitor in the economy” and a “systemic adversary.”
-
China for the EU: Partner, Competitor, Systemic Rival
China is trying to allay fears
Chinese President Xi Jinping tried to allay the partners’ fears at a forum on the new transport corridor between China and Europe from April 25 to 27. He vowed to adhere to strict environmental and anti-corruption laws. The Forum was visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured with Xi Jinping). EU countries, not counting Italy, were represented at the ministerial level.
Author: Mikhail Bushuev
