China ended formal communication with Taiwan's government in 2016 after Tsai Ing-wen was elected as president. With Chinese jet fighters mounting almost daily maneuvers, concern is growing among some security experts that the official silence poses risks
The missives went unanswered, like many of the texts and faxes Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has sent to Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office over the past six years, according to a Taipei-based person familiar with the Taiwanese government's China policy. "They ignored us," the person said.
But the minister-level hotline has sat frozen in recent years while Beijing has grown its military capability and ramped up threats to bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary. To this day, the channel remains a neglected conduit through which officials could ease tensions in emergencies or arrange discussions between the Chinese Communist Party and the Tsai administration.
The lack of dialogue has become more concerning as cross-strait tensions have intensified, said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "They won't answer anyway. What's the point?" the person said, adding that the calls would connect but Chinese officials wouldn't pick up. "You can't wake up someone who's pretending to be sleeping."
China is Taiwan's top trading partner, and hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese work in China. Some entrepreneurs are regularly in touch with officials on both sides, reflecting the close cross-strait business links.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Taiwan readies missile defenses after Chinese military vessels cross ADIZ: reportThe Taiwanese government reported several Chinese aircraft and naval vessels crossed into their air defense identification zone, prompting them to monitor and respond.
Consulte Mais informação »
Xi raises anti-secession law in talks on Taiwan with Biden -China foreign ministerChinese President Xi Jinping raised the country's anti-secession law in talks on Taiwan with U.S. President Joe Biden at the G20 Summit on Monday, the Chinese foreign minister said in a statement.
Consulte Mais informação »
Top US general: China invading Taiwan a 'mistake' like Russia in Ukraine'It would be a political mistake, a geopolitical mistake, a strategic mistake,' says Mark Milley, adding Beijing People's Liberation Army 'doesn't have the experience, the background to do it.'
Consulte Mais informação »
Taiwan invasion would be ‘dangerous game’ for China, top US general warns“For someone who has a military that hasn’t fought in combat since fighting the Vietnamese in 1979, they would be playing a very, very dangerous game to cross the [Taiwan] Strait and in…
Consulte Mais informação »