Shanghai – Taiwan became Beijing intermediate to test the tension levels of its diplomatic ties with some countries like USA and Japan. In this context, a Senior Chinese Official for Taiwanese affairs urged from anticipated threats in 2017 after the emergence of tensions between Tokyo and Washington on the illegitimate island.
Beijing has also claimed its right in the ownership of the South China Sea, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippine, Taiwan, and Brunei have also claimed their ownership for some regions in this important sea road.
The Chinese Air Forces conducted long-range maneuvers in December above the South China Sea, which raised concerns in Japan and Taiwan – China said that these were monotone maneuvers, however, it announced earlier the launch of new maneuvers amid tensions with Taiwan, which considers itself an integral part of China.
The maneuvers came after the phone call which pissed off China – between President-elect Donald Trump and the president of Taiwan.
The Chinese Marine Forces said that the only carrier it owns conducted training in the South China Sea – the Liaoning and its warships sailed near the Taiwanese coast and described its action as regular training in compliance with the International Law.
On its official website, the Marine Forces wrote that the warship J-15 carried on training in tough marine conditions, according to AFP.
2017 is expected to witness hard developments amid many suspicious factors and threats, according to the Chinese Senior Official. He added that China hopes from the people of both countries to show courage and insistence on taking the right steps to maintain peaceful ties and stability in the Taiwan strait.
Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen said that his country will maintain calm while dealing with China, but suspicious developments will definitely provoke the island and its national security team.
In his New Year speech, the Chinese President said that Beijing will not allow any party to argue on China’s regional sovereignty and marine rights.
The Taiwanese President is expected to visit Houston on 7-8 January, before she heads to Central America, and San Francisco on 13-14 January – the president said that Taiwan will never surrender to pressures even if China resumed its old intimidation means.
Donald Trump did not expect any meeting with the Taiwanese President during her tour in the region, especially after the storm he caused in the past month when he accepted to talk with her on the phone.