Talks of peace in Beijing – but the jets in the sky send a different message.
China sent a strong signal during high-level talks with Taiwan’s opposition leader. As Xi Jinping met Cheng Li-wun in Beijing, Taiwan detected 16 Chinese warplanes flying near the island.
Taiwan’s defense ministry tracked the aircraft from mid-morning to mid-afternoon on April 10. The timing matched the meeting between Xi and Cheng, who leads the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s largest opposition party.
Cheng described her visit as a “peace mission.” She urged both sides to build stronger systems for long-term stability across the Taiwan Strait. However, Xi made China’s position clear. He said China will “absolutely not tolerate” Taiwan independence.
This moment highlights a sharp contrast. China talks about peace and cooperation, but it continues military pressure near Taiwan. Taiwanese officials criticized this approach. A senior কর্মকর্তা from the Mainland Affairs Council said China often uses military force to influence political talks.
Taiwan’s government also pushed back. Leaders close to President Lai Ching-te warned that Beijing aims to promote the idea that Taiwan belongs to China. They stressed that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
The situation matters beyond politics. Rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait could affect global markets, especially in technology and trade. Taiwan plays a key role in semiconductor production, and any instability could disrupt supply chains worldwide.
