Washington: Threat of Chinese invasion on Taiwan has intensified, former US Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby warns. Moreover, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen acknowledged this in an interview. She also expressed confidence that the United States would protect Taiwan. Besides, US President Joe Biden accused that China’s coercive actions against Taiwan threaten the region’s stability. Following an aggressive reaction from China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that the United States should not try to downplay China.
Over the past year, China’s communist regime has been intensifying its aggressive stance against Taiwan. China’s approach towards Taiwan seems to have reached a critical point. The evergrowing fighter jets and surveillance aircraft intrusions, consistent military practices against Taiwan, threats issued by official mouthpieces, military officials and warnings to other countries add to Taiwan’s issue. China’s growing aggression has led to consistent warnings of the Sino-Taiwanese war from officials and experts in various countries. Colby’s warning is part of the same.
During the term of former President Donald Trump, Colby served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. In an article in The Wall Street Journal, he warned that China’s aggression on Taiwan has intensified. His article titled ‘The Fight for Taiwan Could Come Soon’ warns that the Biden administration should realise, China is an imminent threat. ‘Unless Washington realises the threat is imminent, it could face war and defeat,’ Colby said.
Besides, the former defense official calls for attention that China’s invasion in Taiwan may happen earlier than expected. He even listed three reasons for that. The first is, constant threats from China to Taiwan and the ongoing extensive military exercises. China’s spending on modernising its Defense Forces over the past 25 years and achieving the ability to attack Taiwan is the second reason, cautioned Colby.
The US official claims that the third cause is Chinese ruling regime’s belief that the time to attack Taiwan with a successful miltary campaign is running out, so it would be better to do it before the international community in the region becomes alert. ‘Beijing may think it has an opening to seize the island before the West’s military investments pay off,’ Colby said. Earlier, former US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster had also drawn attention to an increasing threat of China on Taiwan. The following 12 months will be highly crucial for Taiwan, McMaster had warned at an event.
US President Joe Biden also claimed in a meeting with ASEAN on Wednesday that China’s actions against Taiwan had increased. He said that China was coercive against Taiwan, threatening regional peace and stability. Meanwhile, Taiwan‘s President Tsai Ing-wen has also acknowledged the progressively rising Chinese threat. In an interview with a US news agency, President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed the presence of US troops in Taiwan. At the same time, she said she had ‘faith’ that the United States would defend the island in the event of a Chinese attack.
There has been a strong reaction from China to the statement made by the Taiwanese President. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that the US should not underestimate China’s ‘staunch determination’. China’s official mouthpiece, the Global Times, cited the nuclear arms race; it further warned that China can wipe the United States off with all its might. ‘If China nevertheless decides to use force, the consequences for Taiwan will be dire, the only option available to Taiwan will be to join China,’ the Global Times ironically reported.
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