China warns of ‘combat’ as Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen meets US Speaker Kevin McCarthy

A meeting between Taiwan’s President and the US Speaker could lead to ‘combat’, as Beijing plans huge military exercises.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (L) looks on as Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks in the Air Force One Pavilion in California. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

China has warned a meeting between Taiwan’s President and the US House Speaker this week could lead to “combat” with Beijing, as the PLA plans huge military exercises in the sea around the island.

Beijing also threatened “resolute measures” to protect “national sovereignty,” amid reports of a build up of PLA naval and military forces near Taiwan.

Kevin McCarthy welcomed Tsai Ing-wen in California on Wednesday, in a meeting she said reassured the island’s people they were “not isolated” in the face of rising Chinese anger.

Speaking to reporters after talks with the top Republican, Tsai Ing-wen said the welcome from a large delegation of politicians from both sides of the aisle was proof Taipei had friends in the international community.

“I want to thank Speaker McCarthy for his warm hospitality and for his invitation to bipartisan congressional leaders who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us today,” she told reporters at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

“Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone.”

China aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, will take place in military drills. Picture: AFP.

However Beijing warned the meeting meant the possibility of a “peaceful solution to the Taiwan question” would become more distant, and “the PLA will need to be more prepared than ever to resolve the question through military means,” according to the Global Times, the CCP mouthpiece.

As the PLA said it was ready to launch large scale military exercises in Taiwan waters “with amphibious landings in mind,” Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times the closer the “collusion” between the US and Taiwan, the more likely a “non-peaceful” solution would become.

Mr Song said if a “bottom line” was crossed, the PLA would “turn its drills into combat and resolve the question once for all.”

He didn’t define what the bottom line was, but the PLA warned of “resolute countermeasures” including “long lasting” drills around Taiwan, with the PLA Eastern Theater Command posting on social media: “Even a bit of China cannot be left behind.”

J15 fighter jets on China operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea. Picture; AFP.

China’s foreign ministry also condemned the meeting. “In response to the seriously erroneous acts of collusion between the United States and Taiwan, China will take resolute and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said in a statement published by state news agency Xinhua.

Meanwhile Taiwan defence forces said they had detected 14 PLA aircraft and three PLA vessels around Taiwan, and Japan’s Defence Ministry Joint Staff said a PLA Navy Type 052C destroyer and a Type 054A frigate had been spotted sailing through the Miyako Strait to the east of Taiwan.

Ms Tsai’s visit to California is technically a stop-over after a trip to Latin America to see two of Taiwan’s dwindling band of official diplomatic allies.

Despite its having been ruled separately for more than 70 years, China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Beijing baulks at any official contact Taipei has with other countries. This week, it warned Mr McCarthy, a California native who is second in line to the US presidency, that he was “playing with fire” by meeting Ms Tsai.

Mr McCarthy, standing in front of a retired Air Force One at the library north of Los Angeles, told Ms Tsai a shared belief in democracy and freedom formed “the bedrock” of an enduring relationship.

“The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world, and it is critical to maintain economic freedom peace and regional stability,” he said.

“We will honour our obligations and reiterate our commitment to our shared values behind which all Americans are united.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken played down the significance of Ms Tsai’s stop in California, and cautioned Beijing against using it as an “excuse to ratchet up tensions.” “These transits by high level Taiwanese authorities are nothing new,” he told reporters in Brussels, where he was meeting with NATO foreign ministers.

“They are private and unofficial.”

With AFP