Tensions rise between China and the United States over Taiwan.
In fact, Beijing affirms that it will continue to " work for peaceful reunification with the island " but will reserve "the right to take all necessary measures to succeed ". Although Taiwan has been independent since 1949 , this division has never been accepted by the People's Republic , which continues to see it as an integral part of its territory. And it is not long before the ultimatum arrives in Washington : " If the US continues on the wrong path, it will facing a war that will have catastrophic results ».
"The island is the focus of our interests , the political foundation in relations with the United States and the border that must not be crossed ." Thus the new Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang , in his first briefing on the sidelines of the annual session of parliament. “No one should ever underestimate the firm determination, strong will and great ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States denies that it wants a conflict , but the containment strategy it has built aims at the suppression of all legitimate aspirations of China: this is a zero-sum game in which one dies and one lives,” concluded Gang. is also expressed on the Ukrainian crisis : «Relations between China and Russia are a model to follow. The more turbulent the world, the more this pattern will strengthen."
And in the meantime Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has invited the country to keep the alert high on a " possible sudden entry " of the Chinese armed forces into areas close to its territory . Chiu told parliament that the sharp increase in Chinese military spending for 2023 indicates that Beijing is "preparing to use force if necessary" to take over the island. At the start of the annual session of the National People's Congress on Sunday, Beijing unveiled its , including (nearly $230 billion), up 7.2 percent and at the fastest pace fast of the last 4 years.
