China says there is no 'Median Line' in the Taiwan Strait

Chinese Foreign Ministry Vice Minister: "Taiwan is Chinese territory, no median line exists"
China threatens US and Taiwan through large-scale military exercises

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] A senior official from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there is no median line in the Taiwan Strait.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The median line in the Taiwan Strait was a boundary drawn by the United States in 1955 to prevent military clashes. China has also regarded the median line as the boundary with Taiwan.

The denial of the median line by a senior Chinese diplomatic official is interpreted as a determination to continue the large-scale military exercises by the People's Liberation Army that began after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

On the 10th, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ma Zhaoxu, China's Vice Minister (Deputy Minister), in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), harshly criticized, saying, "Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was a clumsy political comedy and a dangerous and malicious provocation."

He emphasized, "Since Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory, there is no median line in the Taiwan Strait," and raised his voice, saying, "China will fully safeguard its sovereignty and territory." Vice Minister Ma claimed the right to self-defense, stating, "Military exercises in the Taiwan Strait comply with domestic law, international law, and international practices."

He said, "Despite China's solemn expressions, Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan, and the Joe Biden administration condoned it," adding, "The responsibility for the tension and crisis in the Taiwan Strait lies entirely with the United States."

Regarding international concerns about the worsening situation, Vice Minister Ma urged, "The Chinese people do not fear evil or ghosts," and said, "The United States should quickly abandon the idea that it can control China by using Taiwan."

State-run media also supported the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Global Times reported that the Chinese military is conducting open and transparent military exercises. Citing military experts, the media stated that the Chinese military will soon carry out an amphibious landing operation on Taiwan Island using the Type 075 and Type 071 landing ships.

The Global Times also expressed confidence that the aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong, participating in the Taiwan Strait exercises, will block external interference regarding the possible entry of U.S. warships near the Taiwan Strait.

The Global Times added that although the U.S. administration is well aware that China has no intention of invading Taiwan, it is still provoking a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, and President Biden should clarify the causes and reasons for triggering the crisis in the Taiwan Strait.

However, voices within China express concerns about accidental military clashes between the U.S. and China.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, said, "The entry and passage of U.S. warships and military aircraft through the Taiwan Strait is always a sensitive issue," and predicted, "Especially under the current circumstances, the United States will not intentionally provoke in the Taiwan Strait."

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