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CHINESE media report that President Xi Jinping has asked his military commanders to "focus preparations for the war", as tension continues to grow for the future of the South China Sea and Taiwan .
China Central Television delivered a speech by President Xi, who had claimed this position in perpetuity at the beginning of the year, several days after his visit to Guangzhou Province.
"We have to take into account all the complex situations and develop contingency plans accordingly," President Xi told officers at Southern Theater Command.
The state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that President Xi had "stressed the importance of preparing for war and fighting".
President Xi's words represent a significant rise in the rhetoric exchanged between Beijing and Washington.
China has been irritated by US military sanctions for buying weapons from Russia and what Beijing sees as renewed Washington support for democracy in Taiwan.
Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence pushed tensions between Washington and Beijing to a new level: "By using this stolen technology, the Chinese Communist Party turns the plows into plows into swords," he said. -he declares.
BATTLE READY
In the midst of growing economic concerns over the intensification of the trade war with the United States, President Xi visits his country to build confidence.
His speech was delivered during a tour of the Southern Teature command post on Thursday. Its publication has been delayed for several days.
There is evidence that the command would assume a "heavy military responsibility" since he was responsible for operations in the South China Sea.
According to Xinhua, President Xi "stressed the need to focus on the search and command in combat, to advance work in all areas and to accelerate the development of command and control institutions. strong and effective joint operations for theater command to strengthen overall the combat capability of the army ".
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The president indirectly ordered his military forces to step up their opposition to the "freedom of navigation" exercises undertaken by the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Japan. Others by the waterway through which the arterial waterways have developed since the end of the war. II.
"He ordered the troop to closely monitor the situation and strengthen the analysis to firmly protect border stability and security of life and property of the population," he said. said Xi Xhua.
"After hearing a report on their work, he emphasized the importance of preparing for war and combat, while taking into account a variety of complex situations, improving response plans and putting in place". Focus on real combat training. "
President Xi was not the only Communist Party ruling member to have mounted the ant last week.
The base of Hong Kong Morning of South China According to the State Attorney General and Minister of Defense, Wei Fenghe, Beijing would never give up "a single piece" of its territory. He warned that "repeated challenges" to China's sovereignty over Taiwan would lead to military action.
DIPLOMACY OF THE GUNBOAT
the Morning of South China According to military observers, President Xi's remarks were likely aimed at an internal audience, which boosted morale in the face of increasing economic and international pressures.
"This is probably a message to the United States and to all parties that Beijing perceives as a provocation," said Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. said.
A Beijing-based military analyst said he expects further clashes in the South China Sea.
"The United States should conduct more freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea region and, as it does not recognize (Peking) rights over artificial islands, such as Mischief Reef, there will probably be more military friction between the two countries. ", Said the Post quoted him.
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Earlier this month, a Chinese destroyer almost hit an American warship to force him to leave the disputed waters. Shortly after the incident, the Chinese Ministry of Defense accused the United States of "seriously threatening China's sovereignty and security, seriously damaging relations between the two armies, and seriously undermining peace and security." regional stability ".
The United Nations considers that much of the South China Sea is an international water and refuses to recognize that the artificial fortresses of Beijing Island give it a legitimate claim in the region.
Beijing, however, continues to stick to its claim – albeit rejected by an international tribunal – that it has historical dominance over the sea between Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis canceled his trip to Beijing because of rising tensions. Last month, the Chinese government revoked the permission of an American warship to travel to Hong Kong and recalled its chief naval officer in Washington.
CULTURE SHOCK
Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since the victory of the pro-independence Progressive Democratic Party in the 2016 elections. These tensions have intensified as the United States strengthens its diplomatic and military ties with the last position of the Chinese government. revolutionary.
Last week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it had "expressed concern" over the recent passage of two US warships in the narrow waterway between China and Taiwan.
"China has closely followed the passage of US warships into the Taiwan Strait and monitored the entire process," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said.
"We urge the United States to scrupulously respect the three Sino-US joint communiqués and to properly address Taiwan-related issues in order to avoid undermining bilateral relations as well as peace and stability in the United States. the Taiwan Strait, "said Hua Hua.
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Beijing has quickly used its massive economic influence to stifle any progress made by Taiwan – a democracy of 23 million people – on the international stage. President Xi's government has repeatedly stated its intention to "reunify" Taiwan and has refused to exclude the use of force for this purpose.
At the same time, the Minister of National Defense, Wei, said his army would "at all costs" to prevent the separation of Taiwan.
"The Taiwan issue is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and touches China's core interests," Wei said at the opening of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing last week.
"On this issue, it is extremely dangerous to repeatedly challenge the net results of China. If someone tries to separate Taiwan, the Chinese army will take the necessary measures at any cost. "
SURGE
The strength of the Chinese navy has increased significantly in recent years. He now has more warships and submarines than the United States. The US Navy remains technically more advanced with many powerful units, including its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
However, this quality gap is shrinking rapidly. China has launched at a surprising speed new stealth fighters and long-range missile bombers. Its warships are also equipped with radar and advanced control systems.
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Two relatively small aircraft carriers are used to test and practice the aeronautical war, and military analysts estimate that four more aircraft carriers under construction will be much larger and possibly nuclear powered.
But what is most significant is that Beijing has outstripped the West in the field of hypersonic weapons. He has demonstrated the capabilities of his ballistic guidance vehicles and electromagnetic rail guns, both of which are able to overwhelm existing defense systems.
