Chinese paper slams US stance on Taiwan

SHANGHAI: China should be prepared for crisis in the Taiwan Strait, the hawkish Global Times newspaper said in an editorial yesterday, amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington over the self-ruled island that China sees as a wayward province.

The US has ramped up pressure on China in the disputed South China Sea, with reports of US bombers flying over the region this week. Reuters reported Washington was considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait.

China and the US — currently in heated talks over trade — have frequently sparred over questions of militarisation of the South

China and the US are likely to face a new Taiwan Straits crisis sooner or later. China needs to make early preparation. Global Times

China Sea, where China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines all have competing claims.

“China and the US are likely to face a new Taiwan Straits crisis sooner or later. China needs to make early preparation,” the statebacked Chinese tabloid said.

The newspaper does not reflect official policy.

“The Chinese mainland is not afraid of any crisis in the Taiwan Straits, even a showdown, so as to quash US and Taiwan aggressiveness and safeguard national unity,” it said.

The rise in tensions over Taiwan come at a sensitive time for USChina relations.

The two countries are locked in negotiations to avoid a full-blown trade war.

The comments reflect earlier statements by the newspaper, which said last month China must prepare to forcefully respond to any ‘extreme’ US interference in the South China Sea. — Reuters