"China Called Crazy" · Torpedo Sales to Taiwan... US Criticizes China at Highest Level

Ahead of China's Two Sessions, Trump and Pompeo Launch Criticism
Assessment of Unprecedented Remarks
China Provokes with Taiwan and Hong Kong, Then Notifies Taiwan of Torpedo Sales
Possible Countermeasure with Increased Chinese Defense Budget

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Beijing=Correspondent Park Sun-mi] The Donald Trump administration in the United States has escalated tensions to the highest level by raising issues about China's system following the COVID-19 outbreak. This comes as China’s postponed Lianghui (the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) is set to begin on the 21st, with the U.S. launching a full-scale offensive.

On the same day, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of its approval to sell torpedoes to Taiwan. Meanwhile, China is countering by accusing the U.S. of highlighting China's responsibility to shift blame for COVID-19.

On the 20th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump used harsh language such as "wacko" and "dope" to criticize Chinese government officials regarding the COVID-19 responsibility issue. Through Twitter, President Trump stated, "Some wacko in China just issued a statement blaming everyone but China for the virus that has killed hundreds of thousands," adding, "Please explain to this dope that the reason so many people are dying worldwide is not anything else but 'China’s incompetence.'"

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed during a press briefing that "China has been ruled by a brutal dictatorship since 1949."

Following President Trump’s labeling of China as "wacko," even the Secretary of State, responsible for U.S. diplomacy, has escalated the rhetoric to an extreme level. Pompeo’s remarks effectively pointed to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator. This is considered highly unusual since such expressions are typically reserved for U.S. adversaries like Iran or Venezuela.

Secretary Pompeo also provoked China by addressing Taiwan and Hong Kong. He said, "I want to congratulate President Tsai Ing-wen on her inauguration," emphasizing, "The democratic process in Taiwan has matured and serves as a model worldwide. Despite tremendous external pressure, Taiwan has shown wisdom by giving its people a voice and choice," highlighting Taiwan’s transparency in contrast to China.

In particular, as the U.S. State Department intensified its offensive against China, it notified Congress of the approval to sell 18 MK 48 heavyweight torpedoes, produced by a U.S. defense contractor, to Taiwan. The New York Times reported that this could worsen tensions between Washington D.C. and Beijing. The NYT added that the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. did not respond to requests for comment on Secretary Pompeo’s remarks.

China, which begins its week-long Lianghui schedule from the afternoon of the same day, is responding with a tough stance. According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 21st, Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, refuted the U.S. claim that COVID-19 originated in China at a press conference held the previous day, stating, "Some U.S. politicians are trying to shift responsibility by saying the COVID-19 virus came from China, but their attempt will fail."

Attention is also focused on China’s defense budget announcement during the Lianghui. Despite China’s economy contracting by 6.8% in the first quarter due to the COVID-19 impact, it is widely expected that the defense budget will continue to increase this year. China’s state-run Global Times cited military experts saying, "China faces additional defense threats from Western countries led by the U.S.," and "In the complex situation where the U.S. is provoking around China (Taiwan Strait and South China Sea), China needs to increase its defense budget and strengthen its military power."

The Global Times, a sister publication of the Global Times, claimed on the same day that the space force promoted by President Trump "has provoked a new arms race in space."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.