China’s government-run Global Times editor Hu Xijin just threatened the United States of America in a film.
Xijin said if the US permits Taiwan to alter the designation of its state agency in the US from “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” to “Taiwan Representative Office,” Beijing will retaliate with military force.
Is It all Talk?
The Global Times is recognized for being a militaristic journal that frequently expresses views more radical than those of the Chinese Communist Party.
According to Quartz, this isn’t precisely a blunder. Editor-in-chief Hu Xijin stated throughout a long conversation with Quartz (in his dreary Beijing headquarters in the People’s Daily complex) the Global Times often represents what party leaders are genuinely thinking but can’t express.
Xijin added as a former military commander and current party official, he frequently interacts with personnel from the foreign ministry and the security team. They have the same emotions and values as his newspaper. Xijin explained, “They can’t speak freely, but I can.”
We have found China's Achilles Heel: the marketplace. Move manufacturing to Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, starve its hungry war machine. https://t.co/OsUm13HsUP
— Michael Eichert (@michaeleichert) October 27, 2021
“Of course, this is to see how the Chinese heartland reacts. I believe this test is pointless,” he stated. “As long as the US, as well as Taiwan, do so, Beijing will surely respond in a way that has never been seen before.”
“Beijing will undoubtedly take military and economic measures against the United States and Taiwan’s attitude,” he added. “At this moment, Chinese fighter jets are expected to fly over Taiwan.”
“It’s been planned for months on the island. I’d like to remind the United States and Taiwan managed to raise the mainland’s expense of keeping the Taiwan Straits peaceful.”
“The Taiwan issue is responsible for more than half of China’s international problems. In the mainland, calls for a comprehensive solution to the Taiwan issue through force are steadily increasing. The Taiwan situation is approaching a critical juncture.”
Chinese Journalist Hu Xijin: If U.S. Changes the Name of Its Representative Office in Taiwan, China Will Recall Its Ambassador, Take Economic, Military Action #China #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/iHVVGznOZQ
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) October 26, 2021
Biden and Xi Jinping Will Meet Before 2022
On Oct. 26, White House security advisor Jake Sullivan announced President Biden will attend a video conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the close of the year.
Sullivan said he didn’t know the specific meeting date, but it was decided while he visited with China’s chief diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Zurich earlier in the month.
“They’ll be able to sit as near to face-to-face as technological permits,” Sullivan told reporters. “They’ll be able to spend a considerable amount of time looking over the complete agenda.”
Since Biden assumed office in January, the allied presidents have spoken over the phone several times this year, but have yet to meet in person.
They may convene in Rome (in which the G-20 meeting will take place for two days starting on Oct. 30) or in Glasgow, Scotland, where the General Assembly Climate Change Conference (COP26) will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12.
