US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that China had taken “irresponsible moves” by cutting off vital lines of contact with Washington and that its actions against Taiwan demonstrated a shift away from diplomatic resolution in favour of use of force.
His remarks on Saturday came as Taiwan claimed Chinese aircraft and navy manoeuvres off China’s east coast mimicked an attack on the island.
China started the military drills on Thursday, following Nancy Pelosi‘s quick trip to Taiwan, despite Beijing’s cautions against it. The largest live-fire exercises China has ever undertaken in the Taiwan Strait are expected to last until midday on Sunday.
Since 1949, Taiwan has been a self-governing island, but China sees it as a portion of its territory that can be taken back by force if necessary.
Beijing said it was discontinuing talks with the US in a number of sectors, including climate change, narcotics, transnational crime, and defence, on Friday. Beijing also imposed sanctions against Ms. Pelosi.
According to Mr. Blinken, the world, not the US, will suffer from China’s choice.
“Suspending climate cooperation damages the entire globe, especially the developing countries, not just the United States. We shouldn’t let differences between our two countries prevent us from cooperating on issues of global importance “He stated at a news conference held on Saturday in Manila.
In response to what he called China’s risky and unstable moves near Taiwan, Mr. Blinken said the US has heard worries from allies, but he emphasised that Washington will handle the matter calmly.
At a regional gathering in Cambodia, Blinken claimed to have told China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the US was committed to maintaining channels of communication to guard against errors, as was expected by other nations.
To be clear, he continued, “the United States does not believe that escalating the situation is in the interest of Taiwan, the region, or our own national security.”
“With the aim of preventing an escalation brought on by misunderstanding or misunderstandings, we’ll keep the lines of communication with China open.”
Maintaining communication, he claimed, “is arguably even more crucial when tensions are at their highest.”
“We want to lower those tensions. And we believe that discussion is a crucial component of that.”
