“Taiwan will not bow” and “no one will force us to follow the path laid out by Beijing.” In the midst of national day parades and military parades on Sunday, October 10, the Taiwanese president has openly chosen to stand up to the great Chinese neighbor. A chin-up that comes to close long weeks of tension and demonstrations of strength. More than 150 Chinese military planes have made incursions into the Taiwanese air defense zone in recent days, a record number.
Taiwan: President Tsai Ing-wen will pledge to defend the sovereignty & democracy of the island on Sunday in 1 major speech, saying she faces more complex & serious challenges than ever due to tensions with China . pic.twitter.com/pdB3Pg0CcE
– Rebecca Rambar (@RebeccaRambar) October 9, 2021
At the impressive People’s Palace in Beijing on Saturday, President Xi Jinping vowed to realize “the reunification of China with Taiwan”. “Peacefully”, of course, but by adding for the independence of the separatists: “Those who betray the homeland and divide the country never end well.”
In the eyes of the Chinese government, Taiwan is a rebellious province whose destiny is to return to the fold of the motherland. Since 2005, a law has also authorized China to launch military operations in the event of a declaration of independence. On the one hand, the Chinese superpower, 1.3 billion inhabitants and a single party; on the other, the little thumb of 23 million inhabitants, who defends the freedom of his democratic regime and has no desire to be under Chinese rule. They don’t share anything except the language.
#Xijinping say 3x the word “pacific” to sjt de #Taiwan and “reunification” during the ceremony of the 110 years of the Revo in 1911. pic.twitter.com/8e7QFWj8JY
– Lemaitre Frederic (@LemaitreFrederi) October 9, 2021
It has been 72 years since the two enemy brothers have looked at each other like faience dogs over the thin strait that separates them. Since coming to power, Xi Jinping has engaged in a logic of permanent harassment. He broke off all official communication with Taipei since the election of the current president and increased pressure on the territory to isolate it as much as possible, by increasing economic blackmail, commercial reprisals, diplomatic pressure.
After having managed to regain control of the territory of Hong Kong, it is said to intend to do the same with Taiwan next year, in 2022, just before the XXth Chinese Communist Party Congress which is to be held in the fall. .
A democracy of Chinese culture is possible.#Taiwan demonstrates this and offers an alternative and enviable model for mainland Chinese.
By observing their courage and their resilience, I understand those who say they are proud to be Taiwanese … the more I admire them! pic.twitter.com/ThQQ7Vswzx– Olivier Cadic (@OlivierCadic) October 10, 2021
From a strictly logistical and military point of view, Beijing has the means to neutralize Taiwan’s air and sea defenses. But starting a war seems unlikely, due to regional and global repercussions.
Taiwan, which does not intend to cross the red line by declaring its independence, has the support of the United States from which it is supplied with advanced equipment. A contract worth over $ 1 billion was recently signed with an American consortium to purchase rockets and missiles capable of hitting targets on Chinese soil. For 2022, the territory plans to devote 2% of its GDP to its defense. Everything to increase its deterrent capacity. Before it’s too late.