China is preparing for war to take back Taiwan, a top self-ruled island politician visiting Washington said, warning that if Taiwan falls, it would trigger a regional “domino effect“ that would threaten U.S. security, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, told the Washington-based “Heritage” Foundation that China's ruling Communist Party is not giving up on using force against Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory.
Chiu said that in its pursuit of “reunification with Taiwan” China is seeking to exclude U.S. influence from the Asia-Pacific region and eventually replace the United States as the world leader, “to restore national glory and realize the so-called “Chinese dream“.
He added that Beijing was “actively preparing for war“ and highlighted China's increased military activity around the island.
“If Taiwan were to be seized by China by force, it would trigger a domino effect, undermine the regional balance of power and directly threaten the security and prosperity of the United States,“ Chiu said.
The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, and Chiu noted that Taipei appreciated President Donald Trump's reaffirmation of that commitment.
He stressed that Taiwan, the world's leading producer of cutting-edge computer chips, is the center of the world's high-tech industry.
“If Taiwan's role in this is compromised, it would be a huge loss for the international community, especially the United States and its technology industry“, the Taiwanese politician said.
Taiwanese authorities reject Beijing's claims to sovereignty, saying only the island's people can decide their future. Visits by senior Taiwanese officials to the United States are rare compared to those of key U.S. allies, and their trips are usually much lower-profile.
The Chinese embassy in Washington said Beijing was ready to “work with the utmost sincerity and make every effort to achieve peaceful reunification“ with Taiwan.
“In the meantime, China will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly oppose separatism and external interference related to “Taiwan independence“, embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said, commenting on Qiu's remarks.
Shortly before Qiu's speech, the Chinese military condemned the passage of a US and British warship through the Taiwan Strait. The US Navy, and sometimes ships from allied countries including Canada, Britain and France, transit the strait, which they consider an international waterway, about once a month.
China claims the strategic waterway is part of its territorial waters.