America’s announced $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan aims specifically to deter China’s threat to invade and ‘reunite’ the island state by 2020
Asia Times
Date: July 26, 2019
By: Bertil Lintner
US and Taiwanese flags blow in the wind juxtaposed against a Chinese temple. Photo: iStock
“If there are people who dare to split Taiwan from the country, China’s military will be ready to go to war to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” the defense official said.
To be sure, it was hardly the first time that China has issued such an invasion threat. But Wu’s statement came at a delicate juncture, with Hongkongers demonstrating against what they see as China’s attempts to undermine their city’s special autonomy and what Beijing perceives as other rising threats to its economic and strategic interests.
Beijing’s official policy for the reunification of the “motherland” – one country, two systems – is obviously not working in Hong Kong. Chinese state media, on July 10, went as far as to accuse the US of having a hidden hand in Hong Kong’s escalating protests. [FULL STORY]
