Chinese Media Outlet ‘People’s Daily’ On U.S.-Taiwan ‘Monterey’ Security Talks: The U.S.’s Building Of Taiwanese ‘Asymmetric Capability’ Is ‘Very Much Daydreaming For The Secessionist Forces On The Island’
THEO VAN GOGH WATCH MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 10047
On June 23, 2022, the U.S. and Taiwan concluded
the annual high-level three-day security talks, known as the “Monterey Talks,” in Washington D.C. China’s Defense Ministry has often expressed its long-held view regarding U.S.-Taiwan defense relations, urging the U.S. to stop arms sales to the country, sever military ties with it, and stop sending “wrong signals” to “Taiwan independence separatist forces.”
The Chinese Defense Ministry also warned authorities in Taiwan’s majority ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that “relying on foreign countries to seek independence” is pointless. It added that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would take powerful measures to resolutely thwart any form of external interference and separatist attempts at “Taiwan independence,” and would defend Chinese national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It is worth noting that on June 21, 2022, as the Monterey talks were underway, China conducted its third-largest air incursion against Taiwan this year, with 29 Chinese warplanes entering its air defense zone. Following this, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted: “The latest large-scale exercise by the PLA shows [that] authoritarian China’s military threat is more serious than ever. But there’s no way Taiwan will cave in and surrender its sovereignty and democracy to the big bully. Not a chance!”
Commenting on the Monterey Talks, the CCP mouthpiece media outlet People’s Daily wrote: “It is very much daydreaming for the secessionist forces on the island to even think about containing the PLA’s military operations, no matter what kind of U.S. weapons they obtain – as the so-called asymmetric weapons are ‘useless’ when facing the PLA’s absolute advantages.”
Below is the People’s Daily article:
Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng. (Source: Taipeitimes.com)
‘The So-Called Asymmetric Weapons Are ‘Useless’ When Facing The PLA’s Absolute Advantages’
“The U.S. is expected to start annual high-level military security talks, known as the ‘Monterey Talks,’ with a delegation from the Taiwan authorities on Monday (US time). According to Japanese media reports, Washington is expected to list about 20 weapons for sale to the island, with emphasis on building ‘asymmetric capability.’
“Chinese analysts commented that it is very much daydreaming for the secessionist forces on the island to even think about containing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s military operations no matter what kind of U.S. arms they obtain, as the so-called asymmetric weapons are ‘useless’ when facing the PLA’s absolute advantages.
“According to Nikkei, the U.S. has prepared a military to-buy list for Taiwan authorities including anti-ship missiles, air defense and early warning systems.”