US flying aircraft to South China Sea a muscle flex: Chinese diplomat
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As Washington attempts to breach Chinese sovereignty, Beijing continues to warn against it.
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The U.S.S. Nimitz approaching a port south of Seoul, South Korea, in 2013 (AP)
The Chinese Ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, recently put down that if anyone tries to separate Taiwan from China - if anyone tries to challenge China's bottom line - the Chinese military will take forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The remarks were made at the event on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China.
"If anyone tries to separate Taiwan from China, if anyone wants to challenge China's bottom line, Chinese military will take forceful measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Gang said, explaining that the Taiwan question has always been the most important and sensitive core issue in China-US relations.
Gang noted that Beijing values peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and has been making efforts for a peaceful reunification - however, the separatist forces and their activities pose the biggest threat to the Strait's peace and stability, according to the official.
In the past few days, China issued 6 warnings against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's unconfirmed trip to Taiwan.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry vowed that if the US insists on interfering in Chinese affairs, the military will by no means sit and watch, but rather take strong measures against separatist attempts.
Read more: Taiwan conducts drills in "the event of a war"
Some people say that China and the US cannot avoid the "Thucydides' trap" and the "tragedy of major-power politics." Others assert that we will enter into a new Cold War, Qin noted. He said that there should be a "no" to war and that the two parties should look into ways to peacefully coexist on this planet.
Military-to-military relations should remain stable as they are essential to China-US relations, according to Qin, who expressed hope that both sides make efforts to strengthen communication, build mutual trust, manage risks and crises, and advance cooperation in areas in which they share common interests.
"Muscle-flexing"
In a related context, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the US has sent its aircraft carrier to the South China Sea as a show of strength.
Read next: China demands cancellation of major US arms deal with Taiwan
"China’s position on the relevant issue is clear and consistent. This is not the first time that the US has sent its aircraft carrier to the South China Sea to flex its muscles. It is clear to us all who poses the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing.
The USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group departed a Singapore base - the Changi Naval Base - on July 26, and headed toward Taiwan, according to ship trackers. It is likely that the sailing is taking place ahead of a possible Pelosi visit.
Read more: “The US will fly, sail, and operate within Taiwan Strait”: US Army
Earlier this month, reports arose that Pelosi was preparing to visit Taiwan in August, angering Beijing.
Beijing opposes any official contact of foreign countries with Taiwan and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable as part of its "One China policy."
