SE QUESTO SI PUO' DIRE CHE ABBIA LE PALLE? SCHIAVONE DIMETTITI, SEI UN DISASTRO SU TUTTA LA LINEA, PEGGIO DI CONTE DRAGHI E DI MAIO MESSI INSIEME

 

Schiavone (CGIE) tira fuori le palle e punta il dito contro il governo Draghi: “Sordo alle richieste degli italiani all’estero”

Parole molto gravi, molto dure, quelle pronunciate in conferenza stampa da Michele Schiavone, segretario generale del Consiglio generale degli italiani all’estero. Mario Draghi? “Nemmeno una parola per gli italiani nel mondo in tutti questi mesi”. Non solo: alla Farnesina, spiega Schiavone, gli italiani all’estero non hanno alcun interlocutore in questo governo: un esecutivo sordo e cieco, accusa il segretario generale, di fronte alle richieste e ai problemi dei nostri fratelli italiani residenti oltre confine

di

Luca Dassi

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giovedì 12 Agosto 2021

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Michele Schiavone, Segretario Generale CGIE

Il presidente del Consiglio Mario Draghi se ne frega degli italiani all’estero. Altrimenti avrebbe fin da subito dedicato loro almeno un saluto, una mezza parola. Invece, in tutti questi mesi, il capo del governo non ha mai avuto nemmeno un pensiero per i nostri connazionali oltre confine.

A sottolinearlo, questa volta, è Michele Schiavone, segretario generale del Consiglio generale degli italiani all’estero (CGIE) in una videoconferenza stampa.

“Siamo rammaricati che il presidente del Consiglio, che gode di grandissima credibilità a livello mondiale, non abbia speso una parola di indirizzo programmatico per gli italiani all’estero. Questo è grave“.

“Questa macchina – aggiunge Schiavone – potrebbe essere utilizzata nella proiezione dell’internazionalizzazione del Paese. Se il governo non mostra sensibilità e non c’è interazione, ovviamente tutto l’impegno, anche quello che si vorrà mettere a disposizione attraverso i programmi del piano NextGenerationEu, rischia di diventare fine a se stesso e noi resteremo sempre fuori da questi progetti, continuando a svolgere quel ruolo infido di valvola di sfogo per chi non riesce a trovare sistemazione, adeguamento alla vita sociale economica nel nostro Paese ed è costretto ad andare via”.

Poi Schiavone, a nome di tutto il CGIE, insiste: le elezioni dei Comites, previste per il 3 dicembre, vanno rinviate.

“Senza un minimo di discussione pubblica, senza un minimo di assemblee per conoscere i candidati, senza un minimo di iniziative di informative pubbliche, il risultato rischia di essere peggiore delle ultime elezioni quando votò solo il 3,6% degli aventi diritto. Da qui la nostra richiesta di rinviare le elezioni per il rinnovo dei Comites”.

Secondo i programmi, le elezioni dei Comitati degli italiani all’estero saranno indette il prossimo 3 settembre. Schiavone proprio pochi giorni fa ha scritto una lettera al presidente della Repubblica, Sergio Mattarella, invocando la necessità di rinviare il voto.

Rinviare, dunque, perché – sostiene Schiavone – “con maggiore tempo a disposizione si aprirebbero condizioni nuove per dare la possibilità ai futuri Comites di agire con grande volontà e attenzione”.

Il Consiglio Generale degli Italiani all’Estero chiede anche di “rafforzare la rappresentanza degli italiani nel mondo perché la normativa, per quanto riguarda Comites e CGIE, è datata”.

“Il modo di vivere degli italiani all’estero è cambiato profondamente: sarebbe utile ragionare sulle novità e capire le ragioni per cui a 6 mesi di distanza dall’insediamento del governo non si conoscono ancora i programmi e le iniziative per promuovere le politiche sugli italiani all’estero, in questo limbo ci muoviamo per cercare di richiamare l’attenzione del governo”.

Poi una affermazione gravissima: “Non c’è dialogo tra il Cgie e il ministero degli Affari Esteri e il governo”. Sembra assurdo, ma secondo quanto afferma Schiavone le cose stanno proprio così: in questo esecutivo gli italiani nel mondo non hanno alcun interlocutore alla Farnesina.

“Il Cgie è un organismo dello Stato – sottolinea il segretario generale -, non siamo una associazione di farfallai, siamo rappresentanti di cinque continenti eletti da basi elettorali in secondo grado democratiche e abbiamo prerogative che non ci vengono riconosciute. Questo è purtroppo un grave abuso da parte di chi oggi tenta a parole di narrare qualcosa che non corrisponde alla realtà”.

Guardando al futuro del Consiglio: “Il Cgie ha la volontà di continuare il proprio lavoro fino al termine del mandato che scade l’anno prossimo. Almeno nel primo semestre dell’anno e per quell’appuntamento abbiamo programmato diverse attività”.

“Sono già previste dal 6 al 17 settembre nell’ambito di ‘storie in movimento’ 10 puntate trasmesse da Rai 3. Successivamente abbiamo anche programmato un altro documentario su testimonianze del periodo del Covid realizzato da un operatore Rai che presenteremo in parlamento verso metà ottobre”.

“A questi progetti radiotelevisivi, si aggiunge l’appuntamento clou sul quale abbiamo lavorato negli ultimi cinque anni che è la conferenza Stato-Regioni-Province autonome-Cgie che ha già istituito la propria segreteria. I lavori preparatori sono già stati svolti e da oggi siamo chiamati a definire con la cabina di regia le modalità per realizzarla e soprattutto i tempi. Questo avverrà entro la fine del 2021. Serve ancora definire i passaggi, se farla in videoconferenza o in presenza oppure in una formula mista”.

“A questo appuntamento si aggiungono altri studi di ricerca. Abbiamo avviato studi di ricerca con il Cnr e con alcune università in giro per il mondo per aggiornare la storia delle migrazioni italiane in tutti i continenti. Sono dei volumi che saranno pubblicati da alcune università, soprattutto negli Stati Uniti. A queste si aggiunge uno studio compiuto da una università in Australia sul confronto statistico sulla partecipazione alle elezioni per il rinnovo del parlamento italiano nel 2018 e la partecipazione al referendum del settembre 2020″.

“L’anno scorso abbiamo stipulato un accordo con il museo nazionale dell’Emigrazione italiana di Genova che si aprirà, l’anno prossimo, Covid permettendo. In vista dell’apertura noi pensiamo che sia giusto mettere in rete tutti i musei nazionali per fare in modo che l’offerta museale sulle migrazioni italiane venga promossa in tutto il Paese. Penso che il Cgie abbia svolto il proprio lavoro nel modo migliore”.

“Altri lavori di ricerca riguardano anche le nuove forme di mobilità circolari, i rientri in Italia di italiani che hanno maturato esperienze all’estero e anche un progetto di ricerca sulle famiglie di nuova emigrazione e il loro insediamento nei Paesi di nuovo insediamento. Per finire c’è l’apertura del nuovo portale del Cgie che vedrà la luce nella prima parte di settembre rinnovato con applicazioni e modalità adeguate al tempo”.

CHINA SAID TAIWAN, BUT THEY MEANT PHILIPPINES - THE US DID NOT UNDERSTAND

 

US Navy Eyes Return To Subic Bay In A Commercial Deal

Manuel Mogato

May 12, 2020

On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.

The US nuclear-powered submarine Michigan docked at Subic Bay in Olongapo City on March 25, 2014. The Michigan, one of the largest submarines in the world, arrived with more than 150 crew members to conduct humanitarian projects in nearby communities as well as for rest and recreation. Photo by EPA

The United States Navy is planning to return to its former base in the Philippines under a commercial deal, the Philippine Navy chief said on Sunday, May 10, after an American equity firm and an Australian shipbuilder expressed keen interest in taking over the Subic shipyard from a bankrupt South Korean company.

Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said the two companies are in the final stages of negotiations with the Philippine government and several banks to take over the operations of Hanjin. The companies reportedly intend to invest about $2 billion and employ the shipyard’s over 30,000 skilled and experienced Filipino workforce.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd has won a contract to deliver six offshore patrol vessels for the Philippines Navy while US private equity Cerberus will operate the other half of Hanjin’s facility for ship repair.

“I was told the companies were about to complete due diligence and final negotiations before the outbreak of the coronavirus, which could delay the process,” Bacordo said.

The Philippine Navy chief said it could take more than a year before the shipyard could become operational under the new owners because the facilities would be repurposed from producing huge civilian supertankers to warships.

Bacordo said Cerberus is the mother company of Dyna Corporation, a large private contractor of the US Navy, servicing US warships and building facilities at naval bases.

“There is a possibility the US Navy will move back its ship repair facility to its old home in Subic if the deal goes through,” he said, adding that Subic offers an ideal strategic location with cheaper and skilled labor.

“Many of the workers in Hanjin had also worked in the US Navy base. Subic has one of the best port facilities in the world, with deep and secure harbors,” Bacordo noted.

He said both the American and Australian companies would like the Philippine Navy to set up a naval base in Subic. “We will have about 100 hectares to develop as a naval facility for ship repair,” he said.

The two companies, Bacordo said, are also interested in two small islands in Subic that Chinese companies had earlier planned to lease and convert into tourism areas.

The Chinese companies had signed agreements in April 2019 during President Duterte’s visit to China for the lease of three islands in the Philippines, but this was blocked by the Navy.

“We prefer close allies to take over Subic,” Bacordo said, explaining that the Navy opposed the Chinese companies’ plan because of its implications on national security.

A Chinese company has also expressed interest in taking over Subic, fierce lobbying by Washington reportedly blocked this.

Hanjin, a unit of South Korean giant Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, used to operate the shipyard in the former US naval base in Subic Bay.

But Hanjin defaulted on $1.3 billion in loans last year. The bulk of the loan, about $900 million, is owed to South Korean banks and the rest to five local banks.

Even before the American and Australian companies expressed interest in Hanjin’s shipyard, US Navy ships have been making port calls in Subic, including massive aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered attack submarines.

On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.

Investors have expressed concern after the Philippines revoked the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a key military accord allowing US military presence in the country for exercises and training.

But Philippine officials have assured Australian and American investors that the commercial deal would not be affected by the scrapping of the VFA.

Subic Bay was one of the largest US naval facilities in the world before it was shut down in 1992 after the Philippine Senate terminated the bases agreement with Washington.

The Philippines converted the facility, which was never home to the Philippine military, into an economic zone.

Members of the Philippine Navy prepare an emergency quarantine facility that they put up in Taguig City for coronavirus disease 2019 cases, on April 1, 2020. Photo by KJ Rosales, The Philippine STAR

US offers attack helicopters

Washington has also approved the possible sale of Bell and Boeing attack helicopters to Manila, its long-time security ally and former colony, despite soured relations due to the scrapping of the two-decade-old VFA.

In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it had notified the US Congress after the US State Department gave its go-signal for the sale of six Boeing Apache AH-64E and six Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters worth close to $2 billion (P100 billion).

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” DSCA said in a statement. “The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The Philippines has allocated P300 billion to upgrade its military capability to catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors and protect its national interests, particularly in the disputed South China Sea.

It planned to acquire attack helicopters separately for the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army, earmarking P13.8 billion for an unspecified number of attack helicopters for the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing.

Two years ago, the PAF’s technical working group selected the T129 ATAK helicopter manufactured by Turkey, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

But the deal with Turkey hit a snag last year as it could not guarantee to deliver certain US-made components for the T129 ATAK helicopter after Washington slapped sanctions on Ankara when it decided to acquire Russian missiles.

Sources at the defense department said the PAF chose the Turkish helicopter over the American and Russian Hind and Havoc, respectively, due to high costs and interoperability of the equipment.

The T129 ATAK is not only much cheaper but its US components would make it compatible with US-made helicopters, which the Philippine military is familiar with.

Recently, US defense manufacturers amended their proposals, making both Apache and Viper more affordable and sweetening the deal by offering additional units of refurbished helicopters.

Both Boeing and Bell are eyeing the Philippine market, hoping they can sell equipment not only for the PAF but for the Army as well. In fact, the US Army has offered second-hand and older versions of the Apache helicopters.

The DSCA said the proposed sale would help the Philippines develop and maintain strong capabilities for self-defense, counterterrorism and critical infrastructure protection. “The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces,” it added.

The Arizona-based Boeing offered 18 AH-64E engines, including six spares, as well as full armaments of 200 air-to-ground or AGM-1140 Hellfire missiles; 12 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; 300 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; 18 new Stinger air-to-air launchers; 5,000 2.75 inch rockets; 80,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition; and radars, communications and targeting system worth $1.5 billion.

“There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the DSCA said.

Members of the Philippine Air Force use the presidential plane to transport COVID-19 equipment. According to the PAF, all of its available air assets, including the Fokker-F28 presidential aircraft, are being utilized to transport medical supplies, equipment and food across the country amid the COVID-19 health crisis. Photo courtesy of PAF

Boeing will partner with Florida-based Lockheed to manufacture the attack helicopters and offer them under the US State Department’s Foreign Military Sales program.

Bell’s offer includes 14 AH-1Z Viper engines, including two spares; six air-to-ground AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles; 26 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; and radars, avionics and communications worth $450 million.

The Viper will be manufactured at Bell’s Texas plant in partnership with General Electric.

The US State Department allowed defense contractors to travel several times to the Philippines to participate in program and technical reviews, training and maintenance support for a temporary period of 24 months.

The US renewed its interest to sell military equipment to the Philippines despite the cancellation of the VFA in February. The VFA allowed US military presence on rotation basis for training and exercises in the Philippines.

Two years ago, Duterte scrapped a Bell contract to supply combat utility helicopters after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Philippine leader’s human rights record, forcing the PAF to return to the drawing board.

Duterte has also stopped the defense and interior departments from acquiring weapons systems from the US and other western countries for linking arms sales to human rights records.

Last year, the defense department offered the supply contract for combat utility helicopters to Poland-based PZL Mielec, which makes Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters. PZL Mielec is part of US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The Polish firm joined the tender for attack helicopters, offering the Battle Hawk helicopter, a variant of its S-70i aircraft.

The PAF has to make a decision on which attack helicopter to acquire as Turkey cannot guarantee to deliver six TAI 129 ATAK.

An Army colonel familiar with the attack helicopter said a decision has to be made in two months because the funds for the project would revert to the treasury if it is not obligated by December 2020.

The Philippines has been looking for funding after realigning its P4.1-trillion budget for 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

CHINA SAID TAIWAN, BUT THEY MEANT PHILIPPINES

 

Robin Beres column: Navy's return to Subic Bay sends a message to China

• Jun 10, 2020

• 

Chinese dredging vessels were photographed from a P-8A Poseidon aircraft around Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in May 2015.

U.S. Navy

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, and Americans remain convulsed over politics and protests, China has been on the move. The communist nation, which seems to have recovered quite remarkably from the pandemic, has been busily exerting itself globally — in ways both benign and harsh.

That President Xi Jinping hopes to transform China into the world’s premier superpower — economically, politically and militarily — has become quite clear to those still aware enough to see beyond our own borders. In the past several months, Xi has employed Chinese influence and power — hard and soft — to achieve his goals.

Of late, Beijing has adopted a far more aggressive stance toward both Taiwan and Hong Kong. Beijing has warned the U.S. about interfering in its relationship with Taiwan, darkly hinting at military might if action becomes necessary. In 2018, one Chinese official announced that the “day that a U.S. Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung (Taiwan’s deepwater port) is the day that our People’s Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force.”

In the Himalayas, Chinese forces have grown far more aggressive in the ongoing border dispute between China and India. Last month, a huge fistfight between the two militaries resulted in both armies deploying thousands of armed troops to the region that still remain in a tense standoff.

And just as worrisome is China’s use of soft power to influence and control smaller nations. China’s rapid buildup of military bases across the globe — Djibouti and the Arctic Circle are two of the more recent — has world leaders taking note.

In the South Pacific, the prime minister of the Solomon Islands recently shocked citizens with the news that the nation was cutting ties with Taiwan and switching its allegiance to China. Sources have told 60 Minutes Australia that members of parliament were paid handsomely by Beijing to switch. The move allows China to establish a presence on the very strategic islands and creates a giant headache for an uncomfortably close Australia.

Even closer to Beijing’s mainland is the South China Sea — one of the world’s most vital shipping routes for free trade. Dozens of nations and islands transport more than $5 trillion in goods across its waters every year. But China has laid claim to nearly 90% of the sea and the islands in the region. It has established military bases on atolls and reefs in the area — many of which are claimed by smaller nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. In 2016, the international court at The Hague ruled that China had no rightful claim to develop the Spratly Islands chain and ruled in favor of the Philippines’ claims to the islands. Beijing has ignored the decision.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have continued to heat up as Beijing turns atolls and reefs in the region into fortified military structures. Earlier this year, China announced it had created new administrative districts for oversight of the Spratly Islands and the Paracel archipelago and claimed sovereignty over more than 80 islands and geographical features in the region.

While Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has pivoted between befriending Washington and Beijing, most of the Philippine people and the military are far more worried about Beijing.

Given China’s power grab in the area, it’s not surprising to learn the United States Navy may be returning to its former base in the Philippines in the very near future. Naval Base Subic Bay was once the largest overseas military installation of the U.S. armed forces. After a dispute over rent for the property and growing resentment over a spate of bad behavior by American personnel stationed at Subic, the Philippine government told the Navy to leave. The U.S. closed the facility in 1992.

Although U.S. warships still make port calls at Subic Bay, there is only a very small American presence there today. Following the Americans’ departure, the Philippine government transformed the area into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. In 2019, a large South Korean shipbuilder located on the facility declared bankruptcy.

According to the website OneNews.PH, China initially placed a bid to rent the vacant facility — an offer that Duterte initially agreed to. But after learning that an American equity firm and an Australian shipbuilder had both expressed interest in sharing the shipyard, Philippine Fleet commander, Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, convinced Duterte to scrap the Beijing deal and go with the Americans.

The news is good for both the Americans and the Philippines. It provides our Navy a friendly port where ship repairs can be done. Longtime sailors and veterans from Norfolk to San Diego have fond memories of Subic Bay.

The Navy’s return to the historic base will help establish firmer ties with an old ally. It will provide local residents near the base additional job opportunities. And most important, the presence of the American Navy in the area will certainly give the Chinese military pause as it continues to fortify islands uncomfortably close to Manila.

Robin Beres is the deputy editor of the Opinions Pages. Contact her at: mberes@timesdispatch.com

CHINA SAID TAIWAN, BUT THEY MEANT PHILIPPINES

 

Chinese State Media Says Afghanistan a Lesson for Taiwan on How U.S. Abandons Allies

By Jon Jackson On 8/16/21 at 3:33 PM EDT

China Warplanes Swarm Around Taiwan After G7, NATO Talk Up Threat

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News Taiwan China U.S. China relations Afghanistan

The Global Times, a tabloid controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, warned Taiwan on Monday it could face the same fate as Afghanistan if it continued relying on the United States as an ally.

A China state-run paper warned Taiwan that it could face the same fate as Afghanistan if it relied too much on the U.S. for support. In this photo, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen addresses soldiers amid the COVID-19 pandemic during her visit to a military base in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on April 9, 2020. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

The paper's editorial began by describing how the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan caused the Taliban's forces to quickly seize control in what it deemed "a heavy blow to the credibility and reliability of the U.S."

The Times then cited what it called similar situations, such as the fall of Saigon during the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 when the U.S. evacuated its citizens from the city. The tabloid also wrote of how the U.S. "abandoned their allies, the Kurds," when it withdrew troops from northern Syria in 2019.

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"Some historians also point out that abandoning allies to protect U.S. interests is an inherent flaw that has been deeply rooted in the U.S. since the founding of the country," the editorial contended before claiming America betrayed France soon after the latter aided the original colonies in gaining independence from Britain in the Revolutionary War.

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Taiwan is similar to Afghanistan in that it has sought support from the U.S., the Global Times claimed, adding "Taiwan is the region that relies on the protection of the U.S. the most in Asia, and the island's Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] authorities have made Taiwan go further and further down this abnormal path."

The situation in Afghanistan spiraled quickly out of control "after the country was abandoned by the U.S." The paper asked, "Is this some kind of omen of Taiwan's future fate?"

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Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and other members of the DPP have not fully acknowledged the severity of the circumstances in Afghanistan, the editorial warned. "They must have known better in secret that the U.S. is not reliable."

The reason for the U.S. to be interested in relations with Taiwan is strategic as well as monetary, the Global Times continued. The island "is probably the U.S.' most cost-effective ally in East Asia. There is no U.S. military presence on the island of Taiwan." America's alliance is thus kept by selling arms to Taiwan, all the while encouraging the island to "implement anti-mainland policies through political support and manipulation. As a result, it has caused a certain degree of depletion between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits."

Aside from sending warships and aircraft around the island on occasion, the U.S. for the most part doesn't need to spend much money on its ally. "Instead, it makes money through arms sales and forced pork and beef sales to the island. This is totally a profitable geopolitical deal for Washington," the Times said.

The article concluded by giving some advice to Taiwan's leaders: "They need to change their course of bonding themselves to the anti-Chinese mainland chariot of the U.S."

CHINA SAID TAIWAN, BUT THEY MEANT PHILIPPINES

 

China sends chilling warning to Taiwan, says fall of Kabul to Taliban tarnishes US credibility

The United States’ recent withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has provided ammunition for China to warn Taiwan of the “bitter fruits of war” suggesting the US will abandon the island nation.

Tyrone ClarkeDigital Reporter

2 min read

August 17, 2021 - 7:01PM

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China’s propaganda mouthpiece the Global Times has warned Taiwan that once warfare breaks out, the Island’s defences will “collapse in hours” as the US will not offer support.

Afghanistan's capital Kabul fell to Taliban forces on Sunday as US and Coalition troops neared the end of their 20-year deployment.

Former US President Donald Trump made the decision to withdraw the country’s troops from Afghanistan in his final year in office.

President Joe Biden confirmed the move, announcing American troops would be entirely removed by September 11.

The Taliban took advantage of the mass exit of foreign troops, and engaged in a cross-country onslaught seizing key regional centres before taking Kabul over the weekend.

An opinion piece in the Global Times - one of China’s key propaganda media organisations - pointed to the US’s decision to withdraw troops as the root cause of the “rapid demise of the Kabul government”.

The article said America’s readiness to leave Afghanistan should send warning signs to the people of Taiwan.

“How Washington abandoned the Kabul regime particularly shocked some in Asia, including the island of Taiwan,” it said.

“The situation in Afghanistan suddenly saw a radical change after the country was abandoned by the US. And Washington just left despite the worsening situation in Kabul. Is this some kind of omen of Taiwan's future fate?

skynews.com.au4:03 The 'fear' is a war between US and China may occur 'and we get caught in collateral damage'

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“They must have been nervous and feel an ominous presentiment. They must have known better in secret that the US is not reliable.

“This has dealt a heavy blow to the credibility and reliability of the US.”

China has ramped up its rhetoric in recent months, further suggesting war with Taiwan is inevitable, as well as increased incursions into Taiwanese airspace.

The United States presents as a major Taiwanese ally should China attempt an invasion.

But the Global Times warned the US would need a “much greater determination” than it had for Afghanistan to interfere.

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“A military intervention of the US will be a move to change the status quo in the Taiwan Straits, and this will make Washington pay a huge price rather than earn profit,” it said.

“But the difference is the deeper hopelessness of a US victory if it gets itself involved in a cross-Straits war. Such a war would mean unthinkable costs for the US.

“From what happened in Afghanistan, they (Taiwan’s leadership) should perceive that once a war breaks out in the Straits, the island's defense will collapse in hours and the US military won't come to help.

“They need to change their course of bonding themselves to the anti-Chinese mainland chariot of the US.”

The United States has not expressly indicated it will intervene in a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, but is a significant provider of arms to the island nation in an attempt to boost its defences.

CHINA SAID TAIWAN, BUT THEY MEANT PHILIPPINES

 

War fears surge as China vows to ‘crush’ US troops in Taiwan after Afghan chaos

CHINA has threatened to "crush" any US troops sent to Taiwan, following America's disastrous pull-out from Afghanistan which left the Taliban in power.

By James Bickerton

PUBLISHED: 22:06, Wed, Aug 18, 2021 | UPDATED: 22:06, Wed, Aug 18, 2021

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Taliban 'receiving Russia and China's support' says Shaheen

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The threat was made by Global Times, a newspaper aligned with China’s ruling communist party. It was made in response to incorrect claims by John Cornyn, a Republican senator, that the US already has 30,000 soldiers based on the island.

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Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has repeatedly threatened force to seize it from the Taiwanese government.

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Global Times said Senator Cornyn’s comments, if true, would be “equivalent to a military invasion and occupation of the Taiwan Province of China.

It said: “It is an act of declaring war on the People's Republic of China.”

They warned Chinese forces would “destroy and expel US troops in Taiwan by any means and realize reunification by force”.

China has threatened to "crush" US forces in Taiwan (Image: GETTY)

The Chinese Communist Party is celebrating its centenary (Image: GETTY)

On Tuesday the Chinese military held a live-fire drill off the coast of Taiwan, involving warships and fighter planes.

Shi Yi, a spokesman for the Chinese army, described it as a “necessary activity in response to the recent situation in the Taiwan Strait”.

Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, is ruled by the losing nationalist faction from the 1927-49 Chinese civil war.

Forced off the Chinese mainland, nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan which later evolved into a full democracy.

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"Taiwan's only option is to make ourselves stronger" (Image: GETTY)

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The US withdrawal from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to seize all major cities, has sparked speculation about whether America would defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack.

Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese president, addressed these rumours directly on Facebook.

She said: “Recent changes in the situation in Afghanistan have led to much discussion in Taiwan.

“I want to tell everyone that Taiwan's only option is to make ourselves stronger, more united and more resolute in our determination to protect ourselves.

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Taiwan is an advanced democracy (Image: GETTY)

Kabul fell to the Taliban on August 15 (Image: GETTY)

“It's not an option for us to do nothing on our own and just to rely on other people's protection.”

The Taliban seized Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on August 15.

American and British troops remain at the airport, helping to evacuate western nationals and their Afghan allies.

Ashraf Ghani, the official Afghan president, fled to the United Arab Emirates.

US should prepare for 'multiple wars' with China says Gertken

Articles in the Global Times have repeatedly suggested the US will abandon Taiwan if it comes to war

One said: “From what happened in Afghanistan, those in Taiwan should perceive that once a war breaks out in the [Taiwan] Straits, the island’s defence will collapse in hours and the U.S. military won’t come to help.”

Another added: “This defeat of US is a clearer demonstration of US impotence than the Vietnam War - the US is indeed like a ’paper tiger.’

Afghans attempting to flee the Taliban have congregated at Kabul airport (Image: GETTY)

“From another perspective, the US' defeat is even more humiliating than that of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s.”

China has been building military based on both natural and artificial islands in the South China Sea, which surrounds Japan.

Beijing claims the area as its territory, though this overlaps with rival claims from several of its neighbours.

PAROLA DI PARASSITA FANCAZZISTA DA TUTTA LA VITA: RAPPRESENTANTI DI PRIMO PIANO DELL'IDIOTOCRAZIA E PARASSITOCRAZIA ITALICA CONTINUANO A DARE LEZIONI DI VITA A CHI FINORA E' RIUSCITO A CAMPARE NONOSTANTE LORO.

 

PAROLA DI PARASSITA FANCAZZISTA DA TUTTA LA VITA: RAPPRESENTANTI DI PRIMO PIANO DELL'IDIOTOCRAZIA E PARASSITOCRAZIA ITALICA CONTINUANO A DARE LEZIONI DI VITA A CHI FINORA E' RIUSCITO A CAMPARE NONOSTANTE LORO.

 

PAROLA DI PARASSITA FANCAZZISTA DA TUTTA LA VITA: RAPPRESENTANTI DI PRIMO PIANO DELL'IDIOTOCRAZIA E PARASSITOCRAZIA ITALICA CONTINUANO A DARE LEZIONI DI VITA A CHI FINORA E' RIUSCITO A CAMPARE NONOSTANTE LORO.

 

PAROLA DI PARASSITA FANCAZZISTA DA TUTTA LA VITA: RAPPRESENTANTI DI PRIMO PIANO DELL'IDIOTOCRAZIA E PARASSITOCRAZIA ITALICA CONTINUANO A DARE LEZIONI DI VITA A CHI FINORA E' RIUSCITO A CAMPARE NONOSTANTE LORO.