In recent weeks, a conflict has escalated between China, Taiwan and the United States, which could culminate on the evening of Tuesday, August 2. A US delegation led by Nancy Pelosi landed on the island despite Chinese protests. “Klops” understood how the situation became critical.
Where did it all start?
In 1949, after the victory in the civil war, the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) was proclaimed. The defeated Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek moved to Taiwan along with two million other settlers. Chiang Kai-shek declared that he was the ruler of China, and the new state with its capital in Taipei is now called the Republic of China and is independent.
Both sides have been contesting their right to national leadership all these years. Mainland China insists that “there is only one China”, Taiwan exists in the status of a partially recognized state, and its unofficial cultural and economic centers exist in many large states. Until 1971, it was the Republic of China that spoke at the UN, but then the PRC took its place.
The Taiwan issue is one of the most sensitive in US-China relations. The latter repeatedly urged Washington to formally break with Taiwan. The United States did not have such ties, but in 1979 the US Congress passed an act obliging it to provide the island with funds for self-defense. The last time the Speaker of the House of Representatives visited Taiwan was Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.
What is happening now?
Nancy Pelosi planned to visit Taiwan back in April, but then the visit was canceled: the head of the House of Representatives fell ill with the coronavirus. July in the media resumed rumors that Pelosi will fly to the island during a tour of East Asia.
The American side did not give a clear explanation of the purpose of the trip. Recall that the United States formally considers Taiwan to be part of China, although it supports the pro-American government of the island. But Pelosi has criticized the Chinese Communist Party throughout her political career and has spoken out harshly about China’s policies.
July 29
On Saturday, the trip of the delegation began, in which Nancy Pelosi intended to visit Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. The visit to Taiwan has not been officially announced, according to RBC citing NBC, a visit to the island remained in doubt.
On the same day “Newspaper. RU”wrote: in the official account of the 80th Combined Arms Army of China, soldiers were urged to prepare for a military conflict. Later, the army clarified: the publication was timed to coincide with the 95th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA).
July 30
The Boeing carrying Nancy Pelosi was said to have taken off from the United States. Its end point was unknown, and after the flight, according to “Fontanka”, was observed by almost 50 thousand people. Later edition reported that the plane had landed in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Throughout the day, there was news about the active pulling together of equipment by all parties to the conflict. TASS reported that in the waters of Fujian province, China began unscheduled exercises with live firing. According to information “Izvestia”, as part of the exercises, the PRC closed the strait between the mainland and the island, as well as the airspace above it. In response, Taiwan deployed an air defense system, and US aircraft began circling over the strait.
July 31
Nancy Pelosi outlined the goals of the tour in her Twitter post. It again mentioned only those 4 countries that were announced earlier. On the same day, according toIzvestia”, the speaker arrived in Singapore.
August 1
A new estimated date for Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has surfaced in the media. TASS wrote that this could happen on the evening of August 2, and a meeting of the speaker with the head of the Taipei administration, Tsai Ing-wen, was scheduled for August 3.
Referring to the experts,News“Noted: the plane with the delegation may land on the island under the pretext of refueling or breakdown. Later, the information about the visit was nevertheless confirmed. Despite warnings from the Joe Biden administration, Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan. The delegation planned to arrive at Songshan Airport in Taipei around 22:30 local time and spend the night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
On the same day “Vedomosti”, referring to the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan, said that four strike Chinese fighters appeared in the identification zone of the island’s air defense systems.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
China threatens US with ‘effective countermeasures’ if congressional representative visits Taiwan
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Says Pelosi’s Visit Will Destroy Bilateral Relations
“href=”https://klops.ru/news/2022-08-01/255980-kitay-prigrozil-shtatam-effektivnymi-kontrmerami-esli-predstavitel-ih-kongressa-priedet-na-tayvan?from=back_256010” >promisedthat China would take effective countermeasures if Nancy Pelosi came to visit Taiwan.
August 2
As reported “Vedomosti”, a plane flew to Taiwan, on board of which Nancy Pelosi is believed to be. More than 330,000 people watched his movements on the Flightradar website, access to the service was limited due to malfunctions.
Special flight Nancy Pelosi
US Senator Nancy Pelosi’s plane lands at Taipei airport
The parties did not disclose the details of the congressional representative’s trip to Taiwan.
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In the Chinese army
China to hold military exercises in six regions around Taiwan – media (updated)
Maneuvers will be held from 4 to 7 August
“href=”https://klops.ru/news/2022-08-02/256050-kitay-provedyot-voennye-ucheniya-v-shesti-regionah-vokrug-tayvanya-smi-obnovleno”> reportedthat military operations near Taiwan will begin on Tuesday evening.
Russia’s position
The Kremlin is in full solidarity with China on the issue of the Taiwan conflict.
«News”quote Dmitry Peskov, who pointed out the “provocative nature” of everything connected with the visit of the American delegation to the island. According to the presidential press secretary, the United States is choosing the path of confrontation instead of a respectful attitude towards the problem of China. “This does not bode well, only regret can be expressed here,” Peskov added.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova RIA Novosti, takes a similar position. She called the United States a “state provocateur” and emphasized that the Russian Federation recognizes the existence of “only one China”: “the government of the PRC is the only legitimate government that represents all of China, and Taiwan is an integral part of China.”