It seems Beijing wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan. In his opinion, Beijing has shifted gears. It is apparently pursuing unification with Taiwan "on a much faster timeline." This is evident from the opening speech at the Communist party Congress in Beijing. On this occasion, President Xi Jinping did not rule out using force to unify with Taiwan. China treats the self-ruled island as a part of its territory. However, Taiwan does not agree – it sees itself as distinct from the mainland. Incidentally, last month US President Joe Biden had indicated that US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. This is in spite of the fact that there exists ambiguity on the official US policy pertaining to Taiwan. During a recent event where previous Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was present, Antony Blinken said that Beijing could resort to alternate means like coercion and possible force if it failed to achieve unification by peaceful means. He went on to add - "That is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions." China-Taiwan: Beijing speeding up plans for unification, Blinken says.

Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue of Taiwan and China. Antony Blinken said that the US would honor its commitments to Taiwan and support the island's ability to defend itself. The official policy of the US does not commit to military action on Taiwan. However, President Biden has apparently gone against this stance. He has repeatedly emphasized that Washington would defend Taiwan. China is currently holding a twice-in-a-decade party congress. The expectation is that he would return to a historic third time in office. In his opening remarks, he insisted, "complete reunification of our country must and will be realized." Tensions between US and China have escalated in recent months, following a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi. As a result, China conducted large-scale military exercises. Taiwan condemned it as "highly provocative."

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South Korea updates operational plans to counter nuclear and missile threats from the North

During his first visit to a military bunker in the capital Seoul, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol said that this would serve as a command post in the event of a war. He gave orders for an update of the military's operational plans. This is necessary for his country to address the growing nuclear and missile threats of the North. His visit was significant because it coincided with the beginning of military drills by the armed forces of South Korea and the United States. These would be the largest in years. Renamed as Ulchi Freedom Shield these would conclude on Sep 1. The exercises involve the first field training between the two militaries since 2017. These were subsequently scaled back amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an effort to improve relations with North Korea. South Korea's Yoon orders update of war plans over North Korea's threats. President Yoon made it clear that the current drills were conducted under a changed scenario. He also added that the operational plans reflect North Korea's evolving threats.

During his visit, the President told commanders that there is an urgent need to ensure safety of the lives and properties of the people. These would include updating operational plans against nuclear and missile threats of North Korea. He also mentioned that these are gradually becoming a reality. Another point he made referred to the so-called "Kill Chain" system. Its design can launch preemptive strikes against the missiles of North Korea in case of an imminent attack. This year, its missile tests are progressing at an unprecedented pace. It seems it is ready to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 at short notice. Last week it launched two cruise missiles from the west coast.

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The US and South Korea begin their joint military exercises in view of North Korean nuclear threat

The US and South Korea begin their joint military exercises in view of North Korean nuclear threat

North Korean nuclear threat prompts the US and South Korea to undertake the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. These are their biggest combined military training in years and will continue through 1 September in South Korea. It will cover field exercises and involve aircraft, warships, tanks and tens of thousands of troops. North Korea describes these exercises as rehearsals for an invasion. Pyongyang has raised the pace of its weapons testing activity and has been simultaneously threatening conflicts with Seoul and Washington. There is a long state of stalemate in diplomacy. Incidentally, a spokesperson of the Unification Ministry of South Korea says there is no immediate signs of any unusual activities from the North. The Unification Ministry handles inter-Korean affairs. US and South Korea begin biggest military training in years amid growing North Korean nuclear threat. The United States and South Korea already canceled some of their regular drills in recent times in order to create space for diplomacy with North Korea apart from concerns associated with COVID-19.

Last week, North Korea rejected South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's offer to exchange denuclearization steps and economic benefits. To this, Kim Yo Jong described the proposal as foolish. She also stressed the North did not have any intention to barter away an arsenal her brother apparently sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. She is the increasingly powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. She heaped criticism on Yoon Suk Yeol and the military exercises with the US. moreover, she also blamed him for the failure to stop South Korean civilian activists from using balloons to send anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border. There are worries in certain quarters that the threats might end up in something worse like a nuclear or missile test or even border skirmishes.

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Trade talks between the United States and Taiwan take off in spite of China’s attitude

Washington and Taipei have reached an agreement to push ahead with trade talks. It would signal the beginning of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. The intention is to improve trade and advance common standards, especially in areas like anti-corruption policy and environmental regulations. This initiative between the United States and Taiwan is against the background of heightened tensions with China. It pertains to the status of the self-ruled island. The first round of talks could happen within two to three months. As an official explained, the plan would cover the eleven trade areas in the negotiating mandate. These would pave the way to create a fairer, more prosperous and resilient 21st century economy. US and Taiwan announce trade talks amid tensions with China. US President Joe Biden excluded the democratic island from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Observers feel this Asia-focused economic initiative would curb the growing influence of China as a rising military power and the world’s second-largest economy. Incidentally, China is the biggest trading partner of most of the region’s major economies, including Taiwan.

The talks between the US and Taiwan did not go down well with China. It had conducted military exercises when US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan recently. At a regular press conference, an official of the commerce ministry said China opposed the talks and would take all necessary measures to uphold its sovereignty, security and development interests. China treats Taiwan as a province that must be “reunified” with the mainland. It wants to achieve this by force, if necessary. China accused the US of trying to overturn decades of diplomatic policy concerning the status of Taiwan. During the Nixon-era, Washington did not accord recognition to Taiwan as an independent country or China’s territory. However, the US is obliged to extend assistance to Taiwan in order to defend itself under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

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Nancy Pelosi visits South Korea after Taiwan during her Asian tour

North Korea described US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as “the worst destroyer of international peace and stability.” This was during her visit to South Korea as a part of her Asian tour. The North accused her of inciting anti-North Korea sentiment earlier this week. Pelosi has arrived in South Korea after visiting Taiwan. This prompted China to launch military exercises. These included missile strike training in waters near the self-governed island. China looks at Taiwan as an integral part of its own territory and wants to annex it forcibly if necessary. North Korea calls Pelosi 'destroyer of international peace' During her visit to South Korea, Pelosi went to the border of the North and South and discussed the nuclear program of the North with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo. It seems the two of them agreed to extend support to their respective government’s plans for denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Such an exercise would act not only as a strong deterrent against the North but also help diplomacy.

Nancy Pelosi became the highest-profile American to go to the border since the then-President Donald Trump in 2019. He had met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inside the world's most heavily fortified border. The American-led United Nations Command and North Korea control it jointly. American presidents and other top officials have previously travelled to the area. The intention has been to reaffirm their security commitment to South Korea. Incidentally, during her visit, Pelosi did not make any strong public statements against the North. The Korean Peninsula remains tense because of the missile tests carried out earlier this year by North Korea. It seems it is preparing to conduct its first nuclear weapons test in five years. Its intention appears to be to move away from talks of denuclearization and instead focus on expanding its nuclear program. It wants the United States to drop its hostile policies. This apparently refers to US-led international sanctions on the North and its regular military drills with South Korea.

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Chinese missile tactics force Taiwan to reroute ships and cancel international flights

China fired missiles near Taiwan as part of its military drills. This follows a visit by senior US politician Nancy Pelosi to the island. Multiple missiles fell into the waters around the country. Japan called for an "immediate stop" to the exercises. This ongoing tension between China and Taiwan has disturbed shipping and flights from Taiwan. Many ships had to re-route their services. This could lead to delays in receipt of consignments and consequential impact on supply lines. The impact would be global. Similarly, for flights from Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport. It canceled more than 50 international flights. Incidentally, the US does not officially recognize Taiwan. However, it continues to sell weapons to it for self-defiance. The brief visit of Nancy Pelosi to the country led to a rise in tensions. She is now in Japan as a part of her Asian tour. China fires missiles near Taiwan after Pelosi visit

China justified the launch of ballistic missiles by saying they were key training sessions. These included naval, land and aerial exercises as informed by the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command. The defense ministry of Taiwan retaliated by activating its defense systems to monitor the situation. The foreign affairs of Taiwan accused China of imitating the tactics of North Korea by intentionally test-firing missiles into waters near other countries. Japan also echoed the sentiments of Taiwan. Its Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said - "We strongly condemn the act as it is a serious issue concerning Japan's security and the safety of Japanese people,"

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Prepare for war, Kim Jong-Un tells his Army as US and South Korea begin naval drill

#KimJongUn #militaryexercises #nuclearweapons Kim Jong-Un, the Supreme leader of North Korea, has asked his military to prepare for war against the United States. He made the comments against the backdrop of the start of joint military exercises between America and South Korea. The eight-week long operation is scheduled to begin from Monday as reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 28 February 2015.
He has expressed that he wants 'to tear to pieces the Stars and Stripes'. He has added that America does not have a 'monopoly' on nuclear weapons and that ‘the U.S. is seriously mistaken if it thinks its mainland is safe.' Kim hitting out at the US is probably the U.S. has moved a step closer to imposing fresh sanctions on North Korea's banks. Once that takes effect, it would block North Korea’s access to hard cash.
The joint US-South Korea exercise is codenamed Operation Foal Eagle and it would involve nearly 200,000 South Korean troops along with some 3,700 U.S. personnel and will be spread out over land, sea and air.
There are reports that North Korea has also recently stepped up its own ground, air and naval drills, as tensions continue to rise in the Korean peninsula.

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