Days after China's military said it had conducted "strike drills" around Taiwanese sea and airspace, Taiwan announced its decision to extend the current four-month-long mandatory military service to a year. The longer service requirements will be implemented from 2024.

Taiwan to extend compulsory military service as China shows air power

CIA chief Bill Burns on Wednesday (July 20) said that China appears all set on invading Taiwan with its force.&nbsp; But Beijing’s plans for when and how, not whether, to do so is influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Burns stated at the Aspen Security Forum that China probably observed taking Ukraine’s example that “you don’t achieve quick, decisive victories with underwhelming force.”&nbsp; 
 
While downplaying rumours that the Chinese president might order an attack on Taiwan following a Communist party gathering this year, Burns warned that things might get worse as this decade goes on. The CIA director said, “I wouldn’t underestimate President Xi’s determination to assert China’s control over self-ruling Taiwan,” AFP reported.&nbsp; 
 
Burns claimed that China was unsettled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which he called the Russian president’s failure since he wanted to topple the Kyiv administration in a week. He said, “Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it,” AFP reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-plans-to-speak-with-his-chinese-counterpart-xi-jinping-499312">US President Joe Biden plans to speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping</a>

In a conversation with NBC News, he said, “Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it.”&nbsp; 
 
He further continued, “I suspect the lesson that the Chinese leadership and military are drawing is that you’ve got to amass overwhelming force if you’re going to contemplate that in the future.” 
 
Watch |&nbsp;US to send more precision rocket systems to Ukraine after Moscow warns of intensifying attacks

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However, Qin Gang, China’s ambassador to the United States, stated that Beijing still favored ‘peaceful reunification.’ He said that the US was aiding independent forces in Taiwan, where President Tsai Ing-wen has proclaimed the island to be distinct from the rest of the world.&nbsp; 
 
In May, US President Joe Biden appeared to eliminate long-standing US ambiguity over whether it would intervene militarily when he indicated that the country was all ready to use force to defend Taiwan from Chinese attack.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-tries-to-prevent-the-un-rights-chief-from-releasing-report-on-human-rights-violations-in-xinjiang-499114">China tries to prevent the UN rights chief from releasing report on human rights violations in Xinjiang</a>

On Wednesday, Biden told reporters that he planned to speak to Xi Jinping in the next 10 days.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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CIA chief Bill Burns on Wednesday (July 20) said that China appears all set on invading Taiwan with its force. But Beijing’s plans for when and how, not whether, to do so is influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

CIA chief Bill Burns on Wednesday (July 20) said that China appears all set on invading Taiwan with its force. But Beijing’s plans for when and how, not whether, to do so is influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Burns stated at the Aspen Security Forum that China probably observed taking Ukraine’s example that “you don’t achieve quick, decisive victories with underwhelming force.” While downplaying rumours that the Chinese president might order an attack on Taiwan following a Communist party gathering this year, Burns warned that things might get worse as this decade goes on. The CIA director said, “I wouldn’t underestimate President Xi’s determination to assert China’s control over self-ruling Taiwan,” AFP reported. Burns claimed that China was unsettled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which he called the Russian president’s failure since he wanted to topple the Kyiv administration in a week. He said, “Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it,” AFP reported. Also read | US President Joe Biden plans to speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping In a conversation with NBC News, he said, “Our sense is that it probably affects less the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose some years down the road to use force to control Taiwan, but how and when they would do it.” He further continued, “I suspect the lesson that the Chinese leadership and military are drawing is that you’ve got to amass overwhelming force if you’re going to contemplate that in the future.” Watch | US to send more precision rocket systems to Ukraine after Moscow warns of intensifying attacks However, Qin Gang, China’s ambassador to the United States, stated that Beijing still favored ‘peaceful reunification.’ He said that the US was aiding independent forces in Taiwan, where President Tsai Ing-wen has proclaimed the island to be distinct from the rest of the world. In May, US President Joe Biden appeared to eliminate long-standing US ambiguity over whether it would intervene militarily when he indicated that the country was all ready to use force to defend Taiwan from Chinese attack. Also read | China tries to prevent the UN rights chief from releasing report on human rights violations in Xinjiang On Wednesday, Biden told reporters that he planned to speak to Xi Jinping in the next 10 days. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China to rethink whether to invade Taiwan or not: CIA chief

The year 2018 marked a shift in China debate from “Cooperation to Competition” in the media and academia around the world. It all began in March, 2018 when National People’s Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extended Xi Jinping’s presidential term indefinitely.&nbsp;

Xi’s signature project Belt and Road initiative (BRI), a Chinese grand strategy to reclaim centre stage in world affairs through economic trade and infrastructure investments, has faced criticism because of its 'debt-trap diplomacy'. 
 
In last five years,&nbsp;China has built seaports which can be used for both civilian and military usage, hence, it is going to increase Chinese strategic influence on many critical choke points and sea lanes of communications along the shipping routes of the world.&nbsp;

According to the Lowy Institute’s Asian Power Index 2018, China is evaluated as an Asian superpower, enjoying the superpower status with the US in Asia. On the account of these major backdrops, Trump administration started a tariff war for middle income trapped Chinese economy, where GDP to debt ratio is now believed to be more than 300 per cent, a dangerous sign indeed.&nbsp;

This tariff war has started to look uglier in the light of geo-technological competition between the US and China as one can see in the case of Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE. Over the years, the Chinese 'one-party system' maintained their political legitimacy based on the Han-nationalism and export-driven economic development. It is interesting to watch how CCP will use Han-nationalism especially when tariff war has started to bite the future prospects of economic growth in general.

Last week, Xi’s speech on the occasion of 70th anniversary of&nbsp;the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), stirred a fresh round of debate and discussion regarding the future of “one country and two systems” of Taiwan under 1992 consensus. Indeed, Taiwan has always been China’s Achilles Hills. &nbsp;

During her 2019 new year speech, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), warned city and county officials to take caution in talks with Chinese authority, after pro-China opposition Kuomintang (KMP) won a local election in November, 2018.&nbsp;

Thanks to the democratic dividend in Taiwan, both popular Taiwanese political leaders, Tsai Ing-wen (DPP) and Ma Ying-jeou (KMT) rejected Chinese President Xi’s proposal of “one country and two systems” under 1992 consensus.&nbsp;

Even former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou disputed the Chinese interpretation of 1992 consensus. Both major political parties, DPP and KMT are willing to enter into discussion with Xi administration, but without any Chinese precondition. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the political situation, however, one must need to understand the legal nature of Taiwan’s constitutional order too. Any proposed amendment towards the Independence of Taiwan will require constitutional amendments. 
 
It is a daunting task, therefore, to take the opposition parties on board with the ruling parties, which requires the approval of three-quarters of the members of the Legislative Yuan and endorsement of over half of eligible voters of Taiwan. These political scenarios pose some serious questions, which need to be analysed in the near future: Prior to the 20th party congress of CCP, can Xi administration be able to “reunify” Taiwan forcefully? Why there is a clash of interpretations on “1992 consensus” between China and Taiwan? How fundamentally “1992 Consensus” is different from “One China policy”? What are those historical trajectories, which led to creating complicated political scenarios in Taiwan? How crucial will be the role of local Taiwanese people in deciding the future of Taiwan? Based on the analysis of the above mentioned geopolitical and geo-economic realities in the Indo-pacific region, one cannot ignore the crucial role of the superpowers in deciding the political future of Taiwan. &nbsp;

No doubt, the US has far superior military might than the Chinese military. The US Navy is equivalent to the next thirteen Navies put together, while the US defence budget is equal to the next seven largest national defence budgets in the world. On January 1, 2019, Trump administration signed Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), signalling the US Congress alignment for reinvigorating the US alliance and cultivating emerging regional partnerships for the Indo-Pacific region. Earlier in March, 2018, Trump administration passed the Taiwan Travel Act (TTA) for high-level diplomatic exchanges between the US and Taiwan. Though the US supports 'One China policy', the catch here is the very definition of the term “One China” for both countries. Later in June, 2018, the US established a de facto embassy along with 400 staffs in Taipei. The US has already normalised the arms sales to Taiwan.&nbsp;

The US Navy has run freedom of navigation three times in the international water of Taiwan Strait. By all account, Sino-US bilateral relation certainly cannot be described as one of the best phases. &nbsp;

In conclusion, the need of the hour is the use&nbsp;of political wisdom by all three parties involved in the Taiwan crisis namely China, Taiwan and the US. One must need to avoid any sort of armed conflict to resolve this crisis. It is only through dialogue, discussion and proper consultation by keeping consideration of local people’s opinion in Taiwan, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region can be restored. &nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The year 2018 marked a shift in China debate from “Cooperation to Competition” in the media and academia around the world. It all began in March, 2018 when National People’s Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extended Xi Jinping’s presidential term indefinitely.

The year 2018 marked a shift in China debate from “Cooperation to Competition” in the media and academia around the world. It all began in March, 2018 when National People’s Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extended Xi Jinping’s presidential term indefinitely. Xi’s signature project Belt and Road initiative (BRI), a Chinese grand strategy to reclaim centre stage in world affairs through economic trade and infrastructure investments, has faced criticism because of its 'debt-trap diplomacy'. In last five years, China has built seaports which can be used for both civilian and military usage, hence, it is going to increase Chinese strategic influence on many critical choke points and sea lanes of communications along the shipping routes of the world. According to the Lowy Institute’s Asian Power Index 2018, China is evaluated as an Asian superpower, enjoying the superpower status with the US in Asia. On the account of these major backdrops, Trump administration started a tariff war for middle income trapped Chinese economy, where GDP to debt ratio is now believed to be more than 300 per cent, a dangerous sign indeed. This tariff war has started to look uglier in the light of geo-technological competition between the US and China as one can see in the case of Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE. Over the years, the Chinese 'one-party system' maintained their political legitimacy based on the Han-nationalism and export-driven economic development. It is interesting to watch how CCP will use Han-nationalism especially when tariff war has started to bite the future prospects of economic growth in general. Last week, Xi’s speech on the occasion of 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), stirred a fresh round of debate and discussion regarding the future of “one country and two systems” of Taiwan under 1992 consensus. Indeed, Taiwan has always been China’s Achilles Hills. During her 2019 new year speech, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), warned city and county officials to take caution in talks with Chinese authority, after pro-China opposition Kuomintang (KMP) won a local election in November, 2018. Thanks to the democratic dividend in Taiwan, both popular Taiwanese political leaders, Tsai Ing-wen (DPP) and Ma Ying-jeou (KMT) rejected Chinese President Xi’s proposal of “one country and two systems” under 1992 consensus. Even former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou disputed the Chinese interpretation of 1992 consensus. Both major political parties, DPP and KMT are willing to enter into discussion with Xi administration, but without any Chinese precondition. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the political situation, however, one must need to understand the legal nature of Taiwan’s constitutional order too. Any proposed amendment towards the Independence of Taiwan will require constitutional amendments. It is a daunting task, therefore, to take the opposition parties on board with the ruling parties, which requires the approval of three-quarters of the members of the Legislative Yuan and endorsement of over half of eligible voters of Taiwan. These political scenarios pose some serious questions, which need to be analysed in the near future: Prior to the 20th party congress of CCP, can Xi administration be able to “reunify” Taiwan forcefully? Why there is a clash of interpretations on “1992 consensus” between China and Taiwan? How fundamentally “1992 Consensus” is different from “One China policy”? What are those historical trajectories, which led to creating complicated political scenarios in Taiwan? How crucial will be the role of local Taiwanese people in deciding the future of Taiwan? Based on the analysis of the above mentioned geopolitical and geo-economic realities in the Indo-pacific region, one cannot ignore the crucial role of the superpowers in deciding the political future of Taiwan. No doubt, the US has far superior military might than the Chinese military. The US Navy is equivalent to the next thirteen Navies put together, while the US defence budget is equal to the next seven largest national defence budgets in the world. On January 1, 2019, Trump administration signed Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), signalling the US Congress alignment for reinvigorating the US alliance and cultivating emerging regional partnerships for the Indo-Pacific region. Earlier in March, 2018, Trump administration passed the Taiwan Travel Act (TTA) for high-level diplomatic exchanges between the US and Taiwan. Though the US supports 'One China policy', the catch here is the very definition of the term “One China” for both countries. Later in June, 2018, the US established a de facto embassy along with 400 staffs in Taipei. The US has already normalised the arms sales to Taiwan. The US Navy has run freedom of navigation three times in the international water of Taiwan Strait. By all account, Sino-US bilateral relation certainly cannot be described as one of the best phases. In conclusion, the need of the hour is the use of political wisdom by all three parties involved in the Taiwan crisis namely China, Taiwan and the US. One must need to avoid any sort of armed conflict to resolve this crisis. It is only through dialogue, discussion and proper consultation by keeping consideration of local people’s opinion in Taiwan, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region can be restored. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China’s Taiwan conundrum: New year, old challenges

China lodged an official protest with the United States on Thursday, saying it was &quot;strongly dissatisfied&quot; after the US Senate passed a bill promoting relations with self-governing Taiwan.

The US Senate passed the Taiwan Travel Act, intended to encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan &quot;at all levels&quot;, by unanimous consent on Wednesday, following its approval in the House of Representatives in January.

The bill adds that it should be US policy for high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States, meet with US officials and conduct business in the country.

President Donald Trump&#39;s signature is now all that is needed for the bill to become law -- something that is not likely to be an obstacle, given that the bill was passed unanimously.

Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, recognising the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of &quot;One China.&quot;&nbsp;

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that while some of the new bill&#39;s provisions are not legally binding, it &quot;seriously violates&quot; the &quot;One China&quot;&nbsp;principle.

&quot;China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes it,&quot; Hua told a regular news briefing, adding that Beijing had made &quot;solemn representations&quot; to the US - a diplomatic protest.

The United States, she said, should stop official exchanges with Taiwan and handle Taiwan issues &quot;prudently and properly&quot; to avoid &quot;damaging Sino-US relations&quot;.

Under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington maintains an ambiguous approach to the island, maintaining trade relations and selling Taipei weapons.

Trump sparked protest from China shortly after his election in 2016 by accepting a phone call from Taiwan&#39;s leader Tsai Ing-wen, an action seen as breaking the protocol of the One China policy.

He made amends by vowing to uphold the One China policy shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s visit to his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort -- but infuriated Beijing again last summer by approving a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

The US Senate passed the Taiwan Travel Act, intended to encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan "at all levels"

China lodged an official protest with the United States on Thursday, saying it was "strongly dissatisfied" after the US Senate passed a bill promoting relations with self-governing Taiwan. The US Senate passed the Taiwan Travel Act, intended to encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan "at all levels", by unanimous consent on Wednesday, following its approval in the House of Representatives in January. The bill adds that it should be US policy for high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States, meet with US officials and conduct business in the country. President Donald Trump's signature is now all that is needed for the bill to become law -- something that is not likely to be an obstacle, given that the bill was passed unanimously. Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, recognising the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of "One China." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that while some of the new bill's provisions are not legally binding, it "seriously violates" the "One China" principle. "China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes it," Hua told a regular news briefing, adding that Beijing had made "solemn representations" to the US - a diplomatic protest. The United States, she said, should stop official exchanges with Taiwan and handle Taiwan issues "prudently and properly" to avoid "damaging Sino-US relations". Under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington maintains an ambiguous approach to the island, maintaining trade relations and selling Taipei weapons. Trump sparked protest from China shortly after his election in 2016 by accepting a phone call from Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen, an action seen as breaking the protocol of the One China policy. He made amends by vowing to uphold the One China policy shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort -- but infuriated Beijing again last summer by approving a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Dissatisfied and firmly oppose US Senate bill on promoting relations with Taiwan: China

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Taiwan to extend compulsory military service as China shows air power

China to rethink whether to invade Taiwan or not: CIA chief

China’s Taiwan conundrum: New year, old challenges

Dissatisfied and firmly oppose US Senate bill on promoting relations with Taiwan: China