Tensions escalate as China fires missiles around Taiwan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4

Tensions have escalated in Taiwan Strait after China fired missiles into the waters near Taiwan earlier on Wednesday even as both sides tried to vie for global support for their respective positions.

“On August 4, China launched multiple ballistic missiles into waters to the northeast and southwest of Taiwan, threatening Taiwan’s national security, escalating regional tensions, and affecting regular international traffic and trade,” said Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while demanding self-restrain and strongly condemning the Chinese government for following the example of North Korea in wilfully test-firing missiles into waters near other countries.

It also urged the international community to condemn China’s military coercion towards Taiwan and wanted countries to continue to speak up in its support. But barring the G7 and its allies such as Australia, which also have a common position on stoking the Ukraine conflict, there was little backing from countries not under the USA military umbrella.

Instead, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reiterated UN support for the “one-China principle” and referred to the UN resolution in 1971 that recognised that representatives of the People’s Republic of China are the only lawful representatives.

India holds its counsel

• Delhi held its counsel despite several pointed reminders from Beijing
• Chinese Embassy said the ‘one-China’ policy was the common consensus of the international community
• It said “India recognised that there was only one China”
• However, India did not rise to the bait of supporting Beijing on its tensions with Taipei

Will defend

Taiwan will not provoke conflicts but will firmly defend its sovereignty and national security. — Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan President

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