display

Already in the first days of the new US President Joe Biden's term of office, tensions between China and the US over Taiwan and the South China Sea were growing.

The Chinese Foreign Office spokesman Zhao Lijian criticized the dispatch of the US aircraft carrier "USS Theodore Roosevelt" to the South China Sea as a "demonstration of strength" that threatens peace and stability in the region.

The spokesman also rejected American calls for Beijing to end its military, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan.

Lijian underlined the Chinese position that the island was an inseparable part of the People's Republic.

Beijing was decidedly against aspirations for independence or the interference of external forces.

Beijing is quite ready for dialogue - but only on the basis of its one-China doctrine.

The aircraft carrier at the naval base in Guam

Source: AFP / CONNER D. BLAKE

The US demand to end “intimidation” of Taiwan followed Beijing's military muscle games.

Eight Chinese bombers and four fighter planes had previously penetrated Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and tested the air defense, Taiwan's armed forces announced on Saturday.

It was the largest military action of its kind to date, and it had grown steadily over the past year.

Taiwan's representative invited to Biden's inauguration

display

Beijing is angry that the Taiwan representative in Washington was officially invited to the inauguration of a president for the first time.

The previous US administration of Donald Trump had already upgraded its relations with Taiwan and allowed official contacts for the first time, which Beijing resolutely rejects because it does not recognize the democratically elected government in Taipei.

The Foreign Office spokesman urged the US not to send "the wrong signals" to Taiwan's independence forces so as not to harm relations between China and the US.

Despite the threats from Beijing, the liberal Taiwan sees itself as an independent state and seeks diplomatic recognition in the world, while it is isolated from the more powerful China.

The US Navy justified the use of the "USS Theodore Roosevelt" in the South China Sea by stating that the aircraft carrier group wanted to advocate "freedom of navigation" in the sea area through which two thirds of world trade are transported.

China claims a large part of the marine area between China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The International Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China's claims in 2016, which Beijing ignores.

Foreign Office spokesman Lijian urged the new US administration of US President Biden not to start a dispute.

Beijing hopes that both sides can cooperate and deal with their differences - "in a spirit of non-confrontation".