Newsweek
Date: 8/25/20
By: David Brennan

Chinese troops have been taking part in coastal military exercises to be ready for any potential conflict with U.S. or Taiwanese forces, according to state media, amid high tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the nearby South China Sea.

The Global Times newspaper—owned by the People's Daily, which is the official publication of the Chinese Communist Party—said Monday that the series of coastal drills "is seen as a direct and strong response to the recent negative moves by Taiwan secessionists and the U.S."

China considers the democratic island nation of Taiwan a wayward province and has vowed to bring its 23 million people under Beijing's control per its "One China" policy. The CCP has long said it is willing to resort to force to do so if diplomatic efforts fail.

Beijing and its media organs regularly disparage what it calls "secessionists" in Taiwan—i.e. nationalists favoring independence from the CCP. The U.S. has long backed Taiwanese independence through weapons sales and is legally bound to help defend the island against attack. The U.S. does not, however, officially recognize Taiwan.    [FULL  STORY]