China claims Taiwan as its own territory. The country announced last weekend that multiple Chinese warplanes and bombers had entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone. Washington then called on China to stop putting pressure on Taiwan.
China believes that Taiwan's democratically elected government is leading the island to a declaration of formal independence. However, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said that Taiwan is an independent country. It is officially known as the Republic of China.
Asked at a monthly news briefing about the air force's recent activities, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said Taiwan was an integral part of China. He said, “Military activities conducted by the Chinese Liberation Army in Taiwan waters are necessary steps to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Sea and for national sovereignty and security.
Wu said Taiwan's "handful" of people want the island's independence. "We have warned Taiwan's freedom fighters that those who play with fire will burn themselves, and that 'Taiwan's independence' means war," he added.
Although China has never stopped using force to bring Taiwan under its control. But it is unusual for Beijing to make such verbal threats of conflict. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council says China should carefully consider the island's determination to defend its sovereignty and support independence and democracy.
The Chinese Air Force, along with four J-10 fighter jets, flew into Taiwan's air defense zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top of the South China Sea on Thursday, the Taiwan Defense Ministry said.
China regularly describes Taiwan as its most important and sensitive issue in its relations with the United States. Which increases support for the island in terms of arms sales under the former Trump administration.
President Joe Biden's government has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan. This will only increase tensions with Beijing. Taiwan has condemned China's threats and intimidation and pledged to defend the independence of Sosai Island.
"Independence means war."
Yeah, it almost always does. The British said that to the Americans in the 1770's. They suffered a humiliating defeat. So too will the Shi-Na Minzoku if they fire a single shot across that strait.
Taiwan has been a fully independent sovereign state for every single day of its history except for a stretch between 1945 and 1949. No Chinese government except Qing (which wasn't even Chinese but was Manchu, and the Chinese were the lowest slave caste in its ethnic hierarchy) ever held dominion over Taiwan, and their dominion was limited to a handful of colonial cities on the western coast of the island.