Chinese newspaper calls for preparation for military action against Taiwan
Global Times believes that China needs to send planes and warships across the Taiwan Strait boundary to put pressure on the US.
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Chinese fighter jets during a drill. Photo: Xinhua |
"Mainland China needs to prepare for a direct military clash in the Taiwan Strait. It must be made clear that the increased exchanges of officials between the US and Taiwan will bring serious consequences to Taiwan,"Global Times, the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, declared in an editorial today.
The Global Times proposal came as US President Donald Trump last week signed into law the "Taiwan Visit Act", which encourages the US government to send high-ranking officials to the island and vice versa.
According to this newspaper, in addition to measures to put pressure on the US,in areas of bilateral cooperation such as the North Korea and Iran issues or in international organizations such as the United Nations,China may send fighter jets and warships across the median line in the Taiwan Strait. "This action may be carried out gradually depending on the situation on both sides of the strait," the newspaper said.
Chinese officials consider the US approval"Visit Taiwan Act"is a serious political provocation, crossing a red line that could damage relations between Beijing and Washington.China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the law seriously contradicted the "one China" principle.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on March 20 that any action promoting Taiwan secession would face "punishment from history." China considers Taiwan an inseparable territory and is ready to use force to unify if necessary./.
