President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on Chinese troops to focus their minds and energy on preparing for war. He said this when he paid a visit to a military base in the Southern Province of Guangdong.
While inspecting the People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps in the city of Chaozhou, the President said soldiers should “maintain a state of high alert,” declaring that every member of the armed forces should be loyal and nothing but loyal to the Chinese cause.
President Xi Jinping had gone to Guangdong to deliver a speech in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, established as part of initiatives by the then Chinese paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, to attract foreign direct investment into the country. The scheme bore fruits and contributed to China becoming the economic titan that it is today.
As military tensions between the United States and China grow, reaching its high points in decades; and with Beijing in serious hostilities with Taiwan, the Chinese President’s speech may only add to stoke tension between Beijing and Washington.
On Monday, the Trump administration formally notified Congress that it was going ahead with the sale of three advanced weapon systems to Taiwan. Part of the sophisticated military weaponry included in the deal is the highly-advanced High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
This plan didn’t go without a response from China, who sternly called on the Trump administration to cancel an arms deal with Taiwan, asking Washington to cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
In recent years, China has claimed Taiwan as part of its territory since the establishment of both entities. Although Taiwan is a democratic, self-governing, mainland China believes both countries will be reunited someday, with Beijing saying it would use every tool in its books, including war, to force an amalgamation.
The relation between the US and Taiwan has flourished in recent years, becoming even stronger since President Trump assumed office. Many prominent political leaders from the US have visited the island nation in recent years. Back in August, the Trump administration took relations with Tapei a step further when Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar visited the country to discuss issues around the coronavirus pandemic. He became the highest-ranking US official to do so in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Taiwanese President Tsai-Ing Wen had during their national day celebration, called on the Chinese President to de-escalate tensions between the two countries and set up initiatives that could lead to peace.
Source: thehill.com
