China warned the United States on Tuesday that it would pay a “heavy price” if it tried to show support for Taiwan’s independence, as a delegation of ex-American defense officials led by Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Taipei amid fears that Beijing might take action against the self-ruled island similar to Russia’s military assault in Ukraine.
According to Taiwanese media reports, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu received a five-member delegation led by former US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral (retd) Mike Mullen, raising concerns in Beijing about the US’s efforts to increase engagement with Taiwan, which China firmly affirms as part of the Chinese mainland.
China setting up Military Preparations
China has stepped up military preparations in recent months, sending hundreds of fighter jets into Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone and beefing up its navy force, keeping the self-governing renegade island on edge.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to officials in Taiwan and the United States, has brought renewed attention to China’s threat to invade the self-governing island.
Apart from Mr. Mullen, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was scheduled to visit Taiwan on Wednesday.
Both Mr. Mullen and Mr. Pompeo, who were known for their anti-China statements while serving under previous US President Donald Trump, are scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, whom Beijing accuses of being the ringleader of the pro-independence movement.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the visit of US officials in severe terms, as one might expect.
When asked about the American official’s visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “The Chinese people are resolutely resolved to preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“Regardless of who is dispatched, the United States’ attempt to demonstrate support for Taiwan will be in vain. “China requests that the United States adhere to the one-China principle,” he said.
He slammed the USS Ralph Johnson, a guided-missile destroyer, for sailing through the contentious waters of the Taiwan Straits on Saturday, claiming that the US’s support for Taiwanese independence forces will “accelerate” their demise.
“I’m curious as to what the United States’ objective is with this section of the USS Johnson’s passage. If Washington wants to empower Taiwan’s autonomous separatist groups, it will only hasten their demise, and the United States will pay a high price for its risky behavior,” Mr. Wang added.
“If the US seeks to frighten China with this, then the so-called military deterrence will be nothing but scrap metal in front of the 1.4 billion Chinese people united in their steely determination,” he warned. “Such American ruses involving crossing the Taiwan Strait should be left to people preoccupied with hegemony,” Mr. Wang added.