Khaberni - Beijing described, today Thursday, the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen as a "war instigator," responding to his statement - in an interview with the French Press Agency - that countries in his region "will be next targets for Beijing if China attacks the democratic island and annexes it."
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian - at a regular press conference - said, "The statements of Tsai Ing-wen reveal again his stubborn nature supportive of independence, and prove undoubtedly that he is a peace disruptor, crisis instigator, and war provocateur."
He added, "These statements clearly show that (claiming) Taiwan's independence is the root cause of instability and chaos in the Taiwan Strait."
He continued, "Whatever Tsai Ing-wen says or does, it does not change the historical and legal reality that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory, nor does it shake the basic commitment of the international community to the One-China principle, nor does it stop the historical movement that will eventually unite China, which is destined to be united."
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to subject the self-governing island to its control.
Pressures and warnings
Beijing has increased its political, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan since Xi Jinping took power in 2012.
Earlier today, Thursday, Tsai Ing-wen warned that other Asian countries, like Japan or the Philippines, would be next targets for China if Beijing attacked the democratic island and annexed it, expressing his confidence that the United States would support Taiwan and not use it as a "bargaining chip" with China.
Only 12 countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including the Vatican.
Taiwan considers that its location amid the island chain linking Japan to the Philippines makes its role crucial in regional security and international trade.
The sovereignty over many islands and coral reefs in the region is the center of dispute between China, Japan, and the Philippines, while the Taiwan Strait is considered a vital maritime passage for global trade.
In November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has about 60,000 American soldiers stationed in her country, hinted that Tokyo might intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan, which provoked Beijing's anger.
Similarly, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hinted that the archipelago located in Southeast Asia which hosts 9 American military bases, would "inevitably" be drawn into any conflict in Taiwan.
Taiwan welcomed, before the summit scheduled to be held in April in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, any discussions between the leaders that contribute to preserving the status quo.
