[ad_1]
Taiwan on Tuesday demanded that China “back off” and accused it of threatening the peace after a Beijing official rejected a widely respected maritime border following recent raids.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu urged Beijing to “return to civilized international standards” after a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said there is no so-called middle line in the Taiwan Straits “as Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. “
Wu told reporters: “The middle line has been a symbol of preventing military conflict and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for many years. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s comment is tantamount to destroying the status quo “.
“I call on the international community to condemn the CCP for its dangerous and provocative words and deeds that threaten the peace … China must back down,” he added in a tweet.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory, to be absorbed into the mainland, by force if necessary, even though it has been self-governing for more than seven decades.
Beijing has increased pressure on the democratic island since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its view that Taiwan is part of “one China.”
Last year, Taiwan accused China of violating a long-standing unspoken agreement after its fighter jets, for the first time in years, crossed the midline of the waters separating the two sides.
Washington’s broader reach to Taiwan under President Donald Trump has become another flash point with Beijing as the United States and China clash over a variety of trade and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.
In recent months, Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in incursions by Chinese fighter jets into its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
aw / leg
