Britain warns China against dangerous military moves around Taiwan
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[October 21, 2021]
By Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain's defence
minister called on China on Thursday to find a peaceful way to settle
its dispute with Taiwan, warning that Chinese incursions into the
Taiwanese air defence zone were dangerous and could spark conflict.
Western capitals and Taipei are on alert after the Chinese air force
intensified its overflights on Oct. 1.
"Militarily they are posturing, as we've seen. We think that's unwise,"
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters.
"You're in danger of destabilising the region, you're in danger of
provoking further conflict in other disputed areas," he said during a
visit to Brussels for a NATO meeting, which is not expected to discuss
China or Taiwan.
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Military experts say the overflights by Chinese bombers, and Taiwan's
scrambling of its jets in response, heighten the risk of an accident or
miscalculation that could touch off a crisis.
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Oct. 9 to achieve "peaceful
reunification" with Taiwan and did not directly mention the use of
force.
But democratically ruled Taiwan has come under increased military and
political pressure from Beijing to accept its sovereignty over the
island, which it regards as a renegade province. Taipei has pledged to
defend its freedom.
"The difference between mainland China and Taiwan needs to be resolved
through peaceful methods," Wallace said, adding that he saw parallels
with Hong Kong.
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![](../images/102121PIX/news_w45.jpg)
Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace walks outside Downing Street
in London, Britain, September 15, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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The former British colony was handed over to China by
in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" framework, allowing it to
enjoy freedoms, such as those of expression and assembly, and an
independent legal system, not enjoyed on the mainland.
But Communist-ruled China has imposed a sweeping national security
law to crack down on dissent. Beijing and Hong Kong officials deny
Western accusations that law impinges on the city's freedoms.
"I think it's why we were so worried about Hong Kong, because Taiwan
was effectively included in the 'one country, two systems'," Wallace
said. "And if you trash that and you break those commandments, what
does that mean for Taiwan?"
(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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