Categories: World

Japanese leadership says Japan and US must jointly defend Taiwan against China

<p>
The Japanese leadership says in case China invades Taiwan, the US and Japan would have to come together to defend the island nation.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4241254">According to a report in <em>Taiwan News</em></a>, Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro said: “If a major incident happened, it would not be strange at all if it touches on a situation threatening survival. If that is the case, Japan and the US must defend Taiwan together.” Taro was delivering a speech in Tokyo and highlighting the threat that China posed to the region.</p>
<p>
<strong>Regional conflict</strong></p>
<p>
At the famous Tiananmen Square last week, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Communist party of China (CPC), President <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Full-text-of-Xi-Jinping-s-speech-on-the-CCP-s-100th-anniversary">Xi Jinping had resolutely said</a>: "Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a historic mission and an unshakable commitment of the Communist Party of China. It is also a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation". <br />
<br />
China's demeanour regarding Taiwan and the consistent flow of threats has raised hackles in Tokyo. Earlier, Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo commented that Taiwan’s security is directly linked to that of Japan. He told <em>Bloomberg </em>in an interview: "The peace and stability of Taiwan are directly connected to Japan, and we are closely monitoring ties between China and Taiwan as well as Chinese military activity.”<br />
<br />
Last month, Nobuo had appealed to the European countries to increase their military presence in the contested region. While addressing the European Parliament sub-committee on security and defence, Nobuo had said that the EU should increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific to balance China. Japanese leaders feel that increased China-Taiwan tensions have become a threat to Japan.</p>
<p>
<strong>Rise in China-Taiwan tensions</strong></p>
<p>
Recently, a Beijing-based magazine outlined in detail how China will launch <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/china-magazine-publishes-article-detailing-three-stage-attack-on-taiwan-99801.html">a three-stage assault on Taiwan</a>, followed by a ground assault. The communist giant considers Taiwan to be an inalienable Chinese province, which has to be merged with China even if forcibly.</p>
<p>
Dr Jagannath Panda, Research Fellow and Coordinator of the East-Asia Centre at the MP-IDSA, told <em>India Narrative </em>that the "Occupation of Taiwan is becoming a prestige issue for the Chinese Communist Party. Building pressure on Taiwan and making it realise that its future is with mainland China is a deliberate Chinese strategy".<br />
<br />
China raised temperatures last month by sending <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/after-massive-airspace-intrusion-china-threatens-taiwan-and-the-democratic-world-95938.html">a record 28 military aircraft</a> into the Taiwanese aid defence identification zone (ADIZ). This was in response to a critical G7 communique that had asked Beijing to find a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue.<br />
<br />
<strong>Japan-US military exercise</strong></p>
<p>
Japan is currently holding its annual military exercise with the US to “enhance interoperability and test and refine multi-domain and cross-domain operations”. Nobu tweeted that nearly 3,000 Japanese soldiers will participate in the exercise along with troops from the US.<br />
<br />
As China throws its weight around in the seas on its eastern front, an increasingly uneasy Japan seeks alliances to balance a belligerent Beijing. In April, Tokyo and Washington had issued a statement encouraging peaceful resolution of Taiwan Strait tensions.</p>
<p>
<strong>Read More: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/china-s-sand-sucking-dredgers-target-taiwan-with-eco-warfare-97268.html">China’s sand-sucking dredgers target Taiwan with eco-warfare</a></strong></p>

Rahul Kumar

Rahul Kumar writes on international issues and is a keen watcher of South Asia, environment, urban development and NGOs.

Recent Posts

PM Modi visits Adampur Airbase, interacts with Air warriors, salutes their courage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the Adampur Air Base in Jalandhar and interacted…

32 minutes ago

Rajnath Singh holds high-level meeting with Defence Secretary, CDS, Navy and Army Chiefs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with the Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence…

1 hour ago

UN chief Antonio Guterres calls for structural reforms in global body

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for wide-ranging structural reforms to enhance the…

1 hour ago

J-K: Situation returns to normal in Reasi, schools reopen

Life in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi returned to normal after India and Pakistan came to…

4 hours ago

MoS Pabitra Margherita attends Girmit Day celebrations of Fiji as Guest of Honour

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita was the guest of honour at the 146th Girmit Day celebrations…

4 hours ago

After India UK FTA, focus must be on local content to prevent entry of Chinese goods: Report

As India and the United Kingdom successfully conclude their Free Trade Agreement (FTA), it has…

5 hours ago