Whatever you thought about Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China, earlier this month, you likely only heard reporting filtered through your MSM Big Business sources, with the obligatory commentary from figures in the US military industrial complex presenting their views, or pundit columnists at worst.
Why not take a moment to consider listening to China in their own words?
First, there’s this exchange on the one-China principle from this briefing by the foreign ministry:
“The one-China principle is an established international consensus and widely accepted basic norm in international relations. It constitutes part of the post-WWII world order and is affirmed in UNGA Resolution 2758. It is the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and countries in the world. The UN Secretariat stressed in legal opinions that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status”. Certain countries have unilaterally added preconditions and provisos to the one-China policy in an attempt to distort, fudge and hollow out their one-China commitment. This is illegal, null and void. China is firmly against this. The definition of the one-China principle is crystal clear, i.e., there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The applicability of this principle is universal, unconditional and indisputable. All countries having diplomatic relations with China and all Member States of the UN should unconditionally adhere to the one-China principle and follow the guidance of UNGA Resolution 2758.
What some individual countries have done is essentially an attempt to misrepresent and distort the one-China principle. This is in effect challenging the basic principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations. This is also a challenge to the post-WWII world order. A person without credibility has no place in society; and a country that loses its credibility would falter. We urge certain countries to make sure that they read about the history, abide by the commitments they seriously made in black and white and recognize how dangerous and detrimental it is to act in bad faith and to justify the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. Attempts to challenge the one-China principle, international rule of law and the international order are bound to be rejected by the international community and get nowhere.”
And, from the defense ministry:
“The current tensions across the Taiwan Strait has been a result of provocative acts single-handedly created by the US side…the US side has said one thing and done another, conniving and supporting Pelosi’s rogue visit, deliberately creating tensions across the Taiwan Strait. In response to the vicious and provocative actions by the US side, China has announced eight countermeasures, including the cancellation of the arrangement of phone calls between the Chinese and US military leaders at the theater command level, cancellation of working meetings between the defense departments of the two countries, and cancellation of the China-US Maritime Military Safety Consultation Mechanism meetings. The relevant countermeasures taken by the Chinese side are a necessary warning to the provocations made by the US and Taiwan secessionist forces, and a legitimate defence of national sovereignty and security, completely reasonable and appropriate. The bottom line can never be broken, and sincerity is a prerequisite for communication. While creating a crisis, the US also claims to manage the crisis, trying to find excuses to cover up its wrong words and deeds and provocative actions, and even hyping it up to confuse the public opinion and shift the blame to others. China firmly opposes this. China urges the US side to earnestly respect China’s core interests and major concerns, abandon any illusion of ‘containing China with Taiwan’, and not go even further down the wrong path.”
Finally, SCMP reported earlier today that “Beijing’s military announced on Tuesday its navy and air force would continue joint drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, following four days of unprecedented live-fire exercises. Without specifying an end date, the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command said the upcoming drills were to prepare for operations of “joint defence” and “joint encirclement” of the self-ruled island.”
Pelosi’s visit goaded China into acting rash, but instead it took the opportunity to tighten the noose a bit further. In 100 years, Pelosi will be a footnote to history, and Taiwan will be likely, more fully integrated with the mainland. If China was the Rolling Stones, it would be singing ‘Time is on My Side.’
Notes
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202208/t20220808_10737507.html
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2022-08/08/content_10176735.htm
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3188257/mainland-china-declares-military-drills-will-continue-around?module=lead_hero_story&pgtype=homepage