ISTANBUL: China’s defence chief reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan belongs to mainland. Addressing his counterparts from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said, “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan and Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair.” Lauding support from 170 nations over Taiwan, minister said China “strongly opposed, severely condemned and resolutely countered” US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan early this month. China considers Taiwan as its “breakaway province” while Taipei insists on its independence since 1949. “China’s position has been widely understood and supported by more than 170 countries and international organisations in world, which China appreciates,” a statement by China’s Defence Ministry quoted Wei. SCO held its 19th defence ministers’ meet in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Wei addressed summit virtually.

He said global security initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping “provides a correct solution for addressing international security challenges.” “China is willing to work with other countries to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and world peace and tranquility,” Wei said. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said that four Chinese naval vessels and 13 aircraft surrounded self-ruled island while two of Chinese aircraft crossed median line and air defence identification zone across Taiwan Strait.–Agencies

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 25 2022

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