Taiwan Warns "Do Not Misjudge" Amid Concerns Over Ukraine Precedent
Linking Ukraine and Taiwan Shows Lack of Understanding of China's History
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Regarding concerns that Taiwan might follow the path of the Ukraine crisis, Chinese authorities made it clear that "Taiwan is not a sovereign state." They reiterated that since Taiwan is not a sovereign country but a part of mainland China, the Taiwan issue is an internal matter of China.
In Taiwan's political circles, including the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), there is widespread concern that Russia's invasion scenario of Ukraine might be similar to China's plan to annex Taiwan.
According to Chinese media such as the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 24th, Hua Chunying, Deputy Director-General (Deputy Assistant Minister) of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing held the previous day, "Taiwan is a part of China, and this is an indisputable historical and legal fact," adding, "China's territory has never been divided, nor can it be divided."
She sharply criticized foreign media for linking the Ukraine crisis with Taiwan, saying it stems from a lack of understanding of Chinese history.
She further warned the United States and Taiwan's ruling party, saying, "They should not rely on external forces (the United States) to beg for peace in the Taiwan Strait," and cautioned, "Do not misjudge."
Hua, who oversees the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press, protocol, and interpretation affairs, personally appearing at the regular briefing seems to reflect the judgment that the DPP is inciting the public by associating the Ukraine crisis with the Taiwan Strait issue. Given the weight of her words compared to other spokespeople of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hua's warning is interpreted as carrying a deeper meaning. Hua is an influential figure within China, even mentioned as a potential next Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen presided over a National Security Council meeting the previous day and ordered the entire military to strengthen its readiness posture.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China also targeted President Tsai in an official statement, saying, "The DPP authorities are using the Ukraine issue to raise the rhetoric of Chinese military threats and incite anti-China public opinion."
Within some circles in China, there is more emphasis on the possibility that the Chinese government might intervene in the next Taiwan presidential election to support the establishment of a pro-China regime rather than recklessly invading Taiwan.
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