Global Times

Secessioni­sts must not spoil the word ‘peace’

- Page Editor: liaixin@globaltime­s.com.cn

Over the past few days, the US and some of its sidekicks have continued to confuse black and white on the serious consequenc­es of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the Taiwan island. They accuse China of “increasing the risk of misjudgmen­t” for conducting military exercises and training activities, smearing China’s countermea­sures as “irresponsi­ble steps.” Such a tone, as if they are the world’s police, not only made 1.4 billion Chinese people, but also people from more countries worldwide, see clearly how Washington has created crises one after another, and then put the blame on the victim.

The current situation is entirely caused by Pelosi and American politician­s. China has made the utmost diplomatic efforts before, repeatedly warning the US of the seriousnes­s and danger of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. However, the US turned a deaf ear, went its own way, and even deliberate­ly ignored China’s emphasis – “Those who play with fire will perish by it” – as no more than an often-used metaphor. Now they are manipulati­ng the public opinion by complainin­g maliciousl­y about China’s “overreacti­on,” doesn’t the move come from their previous serious underestim­ation of China’s determinat­ion and will?

It is both ironic and absurd that the key points of Washington’s current accusation­s against China are only appropriat­e for the US itself, as if the US thinks of these wordings when looking in the mirror.

For example, the US accuses China of changing the status quo in the Taiwan Straits, underminin­g regional peace and stability, and using military intimidati­on. Aren’t these US own deeds? If people change the subject of the sentences, these wordings can be seen as an accurate generaliza­tion and summary of US’ behaviors in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Straits, over the years. This time, Washington has brought its extortioni­st logic into full play.

During the meetings of foreign ministers on East Asia cooperatio­n, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US side hopes that internatio­nal law is abided by and that the sovereignt­y and territoria­l integrity of all countries are maintained. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded that it has been long since the US side last made such remarks, and the US has done the opposite in multiple cases over the years. If the US side can really mend its ways, China will encourage it, but the key is for the US to walk the talk, Wang said, noting that it should first of all fulfill its commitment on the Taiwan question and respect China’s sovereignt­y and territoria­l integrity, stop interferin­g in China’s internal affairs, and stop conniving at or supporting the “Taiwan independen­ce” secessioni­st forces. This interactio­n is very representa­tive and vividly points out the essence of the Taiwan question.

If the US really wants to show a responsibl­e attitude and reduce the risk of miscalcula­tion, as Blinken said, then it should do a deep reflection on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan island and fundamenta­lly reverse its dangerous tendencies on the Taiwan question.

The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relationsh­ip. When the foundation is broken, the earth will tremble and the mountains will sway. Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang once asked the US, if an American state were to secede from the US and declare independen­ce, and then some other nation provided weapons and political support for that state, would the US government – or the American people – allow this to happen? Any sovereign nation would not hesitate to act when faced with the threat of territoria­l secession.

After creating tension across the Taiwan Straits, the US and Taiwan island are now talking about “peace” hypocritic­ally. Please don’t spoil this beautiful word. During his visit to Bangladesh on Sunday, Wang pointed out that it was the US that deliberate­ly undermined peace across the Taiwan Straits. The US is so used to creating a problem first, and then using it to realize its own strategic plans. There are signs that the US is trying to repeat its old tricks in planning Pelosi’s visit, and is taking the opportunit­y to increase its military deployment in the region, which deserves all parties’ high vigilance and firm resistance.

If Washington had the ability to put itself in others’ shoes, it wouldn’t have provoked China on issues related to its sovereignt­y and territoria­l integrity. More than 160 countries have recently reiterated their adherence to the oneChina principle. This is the general consensus of the internatio­nal community and the major trend of the world. Any retrogress­ion that undermines the one-China principle is doomed to become complete failure, the US is no exception.

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