Ramesh #NotGoingBackJan 12, 2024

#Taiwan elections to test #US-#China relationship

China opposes front-runner Lai #ChingTe of the #DemocraticProgressiveParty, known for its pro-independence learnings, and has threatened military action if they declare independence.

#US, which has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan but does have a military tech & security pact with it, is prepared to work with both China & Taiwan to avoid miscalculations regardless of which candidate wins.

“No one wants to provoke a war”

https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-election-president-china-857b0d4acb40a53884fac51cef1fdaad

The US relationship with China faces a test as Taiwan elects a new leader

Washington’s relationship with Beijing will face its biggest test since the leaders of the two countries met in November, as the United States seeks to keep the Taiwan Straits calm after Taiwanese voters select a new president this weekend. At stake is the peace and stability of the strip of water between the Chinese mainland and the self-governed island. Any armed conflict could put Washington head-to-head against Beijing and disrupt the global economy. China fears that a victory in Saturday's election by the front-runner would be a step toward independence and has suggested to Taiwan voters that they could be choosing between peace and war.

AP News
Show threadTâi Siáu-káu 台痟狗 ㄊㄇㄉ 🇳🇫 台灣國
@rameshgupta
You tell us that "#China 🇨🇳 says…," but not what #DPP #presidential_candidate #William_Lai (#賴清德) has been saying for many years about that same thing:
2018: ❝Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation and therefore *does not need to declare independence*, Lai said.❞
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/04/16/2003691399
Lai explains approach to independence

台北時報
Jan 12, 2024 at 5:16pmWeb
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 13, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog

To #China's consternation, #William_Lai #ChingTe wins #Taiwan elections.

Voters backed #DPP’s view that Taiwan is a de facto sovereign nation, even if that means economic punishment or military intimidation by China.

#Xi has vowed that Taiwan's eventual “reunification” with the mainland is “a historical inevitability.”

China insisted the result “does not represent the mainstream view on the island…Taiwan is China’s Taiwan."

#DemocraticProgressiveParty

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/13/asia/taiwan-presidential-election-results-intl-hnk/index.html

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 13, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog

#US does not support #Taiwan independence, Biden says.

US SecState Antony #Blinken congratulated #William_Lai on his victory and said US "is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure."

He said US looks forward to working with Lai and leaders of all parties in Taiwan to advance their "longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the US #OneChina policy."

https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-us-does-not-support-taiwan-independence-2024-01-13/

Show thread12foxfireJan 14, 2024
@rameshgupta @TimMaddog There is much history to Biden’s comment and Reuter’s lede.
READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE.
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

⬆️ @sepfeiffer

I did read the whole article before I posted the link. What part do you think I missed?

@TimMaddog

Show thread12foxfireJan 14, 2024
@rameshgupta @TimMaddog not you specifically. Others could just read the first line and condemn Joe. I did not understand until I read the short article. :))
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

⬆️ @sepfeiffer

>> Others could just read the first line and condemn Joe. I did not understand until I read the short article. :))

Condemning the #US, especially when it has a #Democrat president, has never been out of fashion — regardless of issue or era

@TimMaddog

Show thread12foxfireJan 14, 2024
@rameshgupta @TimMaddog I support Taiwan.
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

@sepfeiffer @TimMaddog

>> I support Taiwan.

So do I, and so does the #US

Nobody, including #China, wants to go to war over #Taiwan.

That's why everybody is sticking to the status quo.

Show threadTâi Siáu-káu 台痟狗 ㄊㄇㄉ 🇳🇫 台灣國Jan 14, 2024
@rameshgupta @sepfeiffer
Go back and read my first reply. It says your post only presents one side of the story (which happens to be the side with which #China 🇨🇳 wants to fool the world).
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog

In < 500 chars, I said what I said

1. #Taiwan elections test #US-#China relations

2. China opposes #William_Lai #ChingTe

3. #Lai & #DPP are pro-independence

4. #US has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan but does have a military tech & security pact with it

5. “No one wants to provoke a war”

You quoted Lai: ❝Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation and therefore *does not need to declare independence*❞

Which countries OFFICIALLY recognize the status you mentioned?

@sepfeiffer

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog @sepfeiffer

"War of words after Taiwan election highlights the intractable divide over the island’s fate"

#Taiwan accused #China of making “fallacious comments” & China criticized #US for congratulating the winner.

#DPP "advocates maintaining the status quo, in which Taiwan governs itself but refrains from declaring formal independence — a move that could trigger a Chinese military response"

#ChinaOne status quo will continue until an opportunity opens

https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-election-lai-4198659310a8bdfd391b82ad5f889fa8

Taiwan condemns 'fallacious' Chinese comments on its election and awaits unofficial US visit

Taiwan has condemned what it says were “fallacious comments” by China following the self-governing island’s presidential and parliamentary election. The weekend's verbal sparring does not bode well for the future of Taiwan’s relations with China under President-elect Lai Ching-te or for China’s relations with the United States. The U.S. said it has asked two former officials to go to Taiwan this week for post-election meetings with political leaders. The move will likely displease Beijing. China portrays Lai's party as its nemesis and a major obstacle to its goal of bringing the island of 23 million people under its control.

AP News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 15, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog

> Which countries OFFICIALLY recognize the status you mentioned?

Today there are fewer nations that recognize #Taiwan's independence than there were yesterday.

#Nauru said it was severing ties with Taiwan and seeking a resumption of relations with #China which has been peeling off the island’s diplomatic allies, often with promises of development aid.

Taiwan has many allies, but hardly any that formally recognize its independence.

@sepfeiffer

https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-nauru-china-diplomacy-f8c6b74c03b61b51415c00b9e2bc32e1

Nauru switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China

The Pacific Island nation of Nauru says it is switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The move on Monday leaves Taiwan with 12 diplomatic allies around the world. Taiwan now has official ties with 11 countries and the Vatican. Seven are in Latin America and the Caribbean, three are in the Pacific Islands and one is in Africa. A news release from Nauru said that it was severing relations with Taiwan and seeking resumption of full diplomatic relations with China. China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory and says it shouldn’t have official ties with other countries.

AP News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 15, 2024

⬆️ @TimMaddog @sepfeiffer

#China is offering #Nauru $100 million/yr to narrow countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with #Taiwan.

Taiwan said China's move amounted to "suppression of the island's diplomatic space".

Also #Maldives ➡️ https://mastodon.social/@rameshgupta/111755966615839057

The #US affirmed that its commitment to Taiwan is "rock solid" after Saturday's election, in comments delivered by former US National Security Advisor Stephen #Hadley on Monday during a trip to the island.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-loses-first-ally-post-election-nauru-goes-over-china-2024-01-15/

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 16, 2024

⬆️
"
The Pacific, where tiny Nauru is located, has become a source of intense competition for influence between Washington which has traditionally viewed it as its backyard, and Beijing, which has targeted Taiwanese diplomatic allies there.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but is Taiwan's most important international backer and a major arms supplier.
"

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/naurus-decision-break-ties-with-taiwan-unfortunate-us-official-2024-01-16/

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 16, 2024

⬆️

Now #China is mad at #Philippines for congratulating #Taiwan election winner.

China’s Foreign Ministry denounced President #FerdinandMarcosJr's congratulatory message to the winner of Taiwan’s presidential election, #Lai #ChingTe.

China said that #Marcos’s remarks “seriously violated the political commitments made by Philippines to China and rudely interfered in China’s internal affairs” even though Philippines adheres to and maintains a #OneChina stance 🙄

https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-taiwan-marcos-8f3b426f056d713a36b223300c083ae5

China blasts president of the Philippines for congratulating Taiwan election winner

China's Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador and denounced remarks by the country's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday congratulating the winner of Taiwan’s presidential election, Lai Ching-te. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporter Tuesday that Marcos’s remarks “seriously violated the political commitments made by the Philippines to China, and rudely interfered in China’s internal affairs.” Marcos had said in a statement shared on social media that he looking “forward to close collaboration” and “strengthening mutual interests. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be recovered by force if necessary. Mao added that China “would like to sternly tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue.”

AP News
Show threadjzentGGJan 16, 2024
@rameshgupta China is a drama queen. I say fuck em
Show threadAriaflameJan 14, 2024
@rameshgupta @TimMaddog Ahh. International diplomacy, the giant poker game with countries as players and *everyone* is cheating.
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJan 14, 2024

@ariaflame @TimMaddog

>> International diplomacy, the giant poker game with countries as players and *everyone* is cheating.

Yes, everyone is cheating, but somehow the blame always falls on one country (or one party) regardless of incident or era