the first is taiwan's president tsai ing—wen. she wants taiwan to be independent of china.alyst believes china's show of military power is, in part, a message to the taiwanese president. huiyao wang also presents a second factor — that china is also being unreasonably provoked. the third possible reason for china's actions comes from retired us army general stanley mcchrystal. perhaps china is doing this now...because it can. it's different than five or ten or 20 years ago because the chinese military now has enough credible power to at least contest with the united states over the potential defence of taiwan. and that's a very different dynamic. and this different dynamic is one beijing is well aware of, not least because of what it's done in hong kong. injune 2020, china brought in new laws that drastically changed policing, democracy and freedom of speech in hong kong. the west condemned the laws, but they stayed. beijing had done precisely what it wanted — and that brings us back to taiwan and whether china may now feel emboldened to act. even the prospect has observers

so recent arms sales to taiwan, even training to taiwan forces and then helping taiwan maintain its connectionstothe broader globe. all of these things can be really useful in deterring chinafrom attempting to invade taiwan and allowing taiwan to continue on as it has been . >> host: bill in nashville, democratic line . hi bill. >> caller: my question is when is the world as a whole going to come together and hold china accountable for this tacovid outbreak? >> guest: this is a good question. we've seen from the trump administration and sustained in the biden administration as well calls for greater transparency from china on this question of the origins of the covid-19 pandemic and the purpose is really twofold . certainly to figure out the origins of this pandemic but to use that information to help prevent future pandemics. so it's absolutely critical and the lack of transparency from chinese officials in g beijing needs to change. >> host: how are other countries responding to china's military buildup ? >> guest: other countries are quite concerned. we see growing concerns from other especi

only then will countries work to annex taiwan.aiwan has reported china's jets flying nearby and now than 150 warplanes with nuclear capable bombers have entered the same area, what taiwan calls its air defense zone. this is not the same as the territorial airspace which china has not entered. this is japan's response. >> we hope that this matter related to taiwan will resolve peacefully through direct talks, and this has always been our consistent stance. we will continue to keep a close watch on related developments. at the same time, instead of simply monitoring the situation, we hope to weigh the various scenarios to consider what actions we might have an reparations we must make. ross: all of this has to be seen in the context of decades old disputes. taiwan and china were divided during a civil war and there has been disagreement ever since. beijing views taiwan as a breakaway province which it vows to take back by force if necessary. taiwan sees itself as its own sovereign nation. although it's legal status is unclr, it has

taiwan, and support for taiwan to participate in u.n.anizations, such as the world health organization. so isolation of taiwan is what beijing hopes to achieve. and the president is trying to rally the international community to its support so that it will not be isolated. >> is it likely? do you think china would try a military takeover of taiwan? >> my own view is this air activity as destabilizing and dangerous as it may be, is not a prelude to an invasion of taiwan. i think ultimely, xi jinping, or some future chinese leader, may give up on the goal of peaceful unification and use force against taiwan. that is something we need to prevent. we need to deter taiwan from using force. but in the short run, their goal is really to instill this psychological sense of despair in taiwan, to get people to think that they have no other future other than with china. and again, to prevent taiwan from pursuing a set of policies aimed at independence, which would chaenge china's sovereignty claim, it could threaten the legitimacy of the chinese co

mounts the pressure on taiwan.rofessor mitter: it is, but the kind of pressure that would be of most concern to taiwan is something slower, economic pressure. 80% of taiwan's economy is tied up, in terms of supply chains, with the mainland. taiwan has one product that is globally desirable that china wants, and that his semiconductor chips. taiwan has two of three global major producers of it. you can point out the aging is being highly confrontational in language and actions, by the economic story is more important over the next 3, 5, 10 years. mark: interesting, the idea that china might be in some way beholden to the smaller taiwan. professor mitter: it does sound counterintuitive, doesn't it? this island of 26 million people. but because semiconductors are crucial -- buy a new car during the pandemic news that has been difficult -- they will understand that taiwan has elements china wants. the other elements to put forward is that even if there were some kind of forced violent takeover of the sword china threat

we have got the latest from john sudworth who is in taiwan. it is unlikely that the address today was a direct response, word for word with what xi jinping said yesterday, her remarks will have been planned in advance, but as you say, china has reacted. this been planned in advance, but as you say, china has reacted.— say, china has reacted. this is clearly china _ say, china has reacted. this is clearly china pushing - say, china has reacted. this is clearly china pushing back. . say, china has reacted. this is clearly china pushing back. it| say, china has reacted. this is - clearly china pushing back. it shows you just how far we have come, i think, from the era just a decade or so ago, when the two sides looked to potentially be able to find a compromise, putting aside their differences, essentially kicking the vexed question of exactly what taiwan was down the line and strengthening business ties. the president made it very clear today that that era is over because the direction that china is taking, it is growing increasingly authoritari

hard—won defend taiwan's ha rd—won freedoms defend taiwan's hard—won freedoms and in the respective partnersill reach out an olive branch and says that she is always willing to talk to china but they have to speak as equals and i think that is something the of the world should respect and report —— as well because the only way we can get out of this mess that beijing has started is for beijing has started is for beijing and taipei to sit down and negotiate on terms of peace, not on terms of taiwan surrendering.— peace, not on terms of taiwan surrendering. scott harrold and thank ou surrendering. scott harrold and thank you for— surrendering. scott harrold and thank you forjoining _ surrendering. scott harrold and thank you forjoining us - surrendering. scott harrold and thank you forjoining us here i thank you forjoining us here on the programme. let's get some of the day's other news now. police in guatemala have rescued 126 migrants from inside a trailer abandoned by the side of the road. most of the migrants were from haiti which is currently suffering an economic and political crisis. th

the beijing is looking to put enormous pressure psychologically and operationally on taiwan in taiwan society as well as the one armed forces. at the same time, beijing is a signal to the rest of the world to try to listen from the rest of the world. some sort of understanding from china that their position is correct and that taiwan will not be allowed to do things like join the comprehensive and progressive agreement on a transfer sort of partnership or deep. and it's on official ties with the united states, japan, australia, and european actors. however, i think what aging is doing is clearly millage rising the situation and pushing the rest of the world to recognize the nature of the chinese regime. that's aggressive, threat for peace and stability. of region aging clearly recognizes that the reforms that it wants to people's liberation army in 2015 still have a long way to go. 100 miles of open sea, the china would have to cross to bring forces over to taiwan to try to conquer free peoples. really be a very big challenge for china. even if it was only fighting the taiwan armed fo

we're taiwan. i think it's also cognizant of the fact that the united states, japan, and many other countries have spoken out about the importance of peace and stability in the taiwan strait. and those are the under hurting premises upon which us relations and other companies. relationships with china were established and so china is booking to push the boundaries, looking to engage in psychological intimidation of taiwan society and populace and trying to shape the future of the island are political warfare directed against i want people and the world to try to establish a new normal under which china can push, i want as far as it was, right? so it's playing to a number of audiences. what about within tie one, how much fear or concern is there about china's actions? i mean, as we had for my course on a corresponding, there must be closely watching what is happening in hong kong and worrying that could happen to them. oh, certainly i think you're absolutely right. and like hong kong was the example

here are some live pictures from taiwan on this national day.ident sighed again when said in her speech that we hope for an easing of relations and we will not act irrationally and there should be no illusions that the time people will bow to pressure. —— tsai ing—wen. she said she will ensure that nobody can force taiwan to take the path china has laid out for them. this is because the path that china has laid out means the end of a free and democratic life all taiwan, nor sovereignty for our people. earlier, i spoke with scott harrold, a researcher who specialises in china and taiwan. it is important to say that beijing has said, building the capacity to threaten towards taiwan for a long time and seems to think that right now it is a moment when it needs to rattle its labour and threaten taiwan. of course, taiwan has been striving to push back against that pressure and the us and its allies and partners are signalling to beijing that the entire us china relationship is premised on beijing resolving its differences with taiwan peacefully. the

to try to move on taiwan?ith. and given the long-term relationship that we have the u.s. and we have the support of the u.s. as well as the congress and the administration has been very helpful. >> reporter: taiwan's defense minister says china could launch a full-scale war by 2025. he says military tensions are the worst in more than 40 years. >> we have to expedite our military reform, so we have the ability to defend ourselves. and given the size of taiwan, compared to the size of the prc, develop iing a symmetric capability is key for us. we are trying to make ourselves stronger in every aspect, including our military support and international support. >> bolstered by taiwan's importance to the global supply chain. the island is a world leader in semiconductors. taiwan was asia's fastest growing economy last year. despite everything, she appears calm and confident. you talked about how really the situation is so complex now. >> it is very complex. this is probably the most challenging time for people of ta

the taiwan question is an internal matterfor taiwan.tion is an internal matter for china and there should be no outside interference. the and there should be no outside interference.— interference. the chinese president _ interference. the chinese president struck - interference. the chinese president struck a - interference. the chinese president struck a softerl interference. the chinese - president struck a softer tone in this latest statement. in the past he has threatened to use force to bring taiwan under beijing's's control. at the beginning of the month, china mounted four days of large—scale exercises over the taiwan strait. involving almost 150 military aircraft including jet, bombers and spy planes. the taiwanese government and its allies said that this was being provocative. ahead of sundays national day celebrations, taiwan's president was defiant in response to president xi's remark and pledge that the taiwanese will defend their freedom. taiwanese will defend their freedom-— taiwanese will defend their freedom. ., ., ~' f

where re . ulari into the arizona taiwan? where regularity and — into the arizona taiwan?rizona taiwan? where regularity and the manoeuvres l into the arizona taiwan? where l regularity and the manoeuvres is people stop taking them seriously and continuing numbers in the continue to force the taiwanese side to scramble their jets continue to force the taiwanese side to scramble theirjets and respond in they can try to coerce the taiwanese people but ultimately, china is not looking to pick a fight right this moment. i don't think thatis right this moment. i don't think that is the best interest. i think they know because they're not ready for such a conflict if they really to go down that path and so, i think one of the problems that you end up in a bit of a credible situation. are all talking about it now, as we should be, by thejust are all talking about it now, as we should be, by the just going to are all talking about it now, as we should be, by thejust going to keep going up in numbers. i think the next step is really hard to understand. the problem is, as we have so

that includes our compatriots in taiwan. , . ., ., in taiwan. it is an internal matter for china and _ in taiwan. it is an internal matter for china and there _ in taiwan. it is an internal matter for china and there should - in taiwan. it is an internal matter for china and there should be - in taiwan. it is an internal matter for china and there should be no| for china and there should be no outside interference. the chinese - resident outside interference. the chinese president struck _ outside interference. the chinese president struck a _ outside interference. the chinese president struck a softer - outside interference. the chinese president struck a softer tone - outside interference. the chinese president struck a softer tone in i president struck a softer tone in this latest statement. in the past, he has threatened to use force to bring taiwan under the control of beijing. at the beginning of the month, china mounted four days of large—scale exercises over the taiwan strait, involving almost 150 military aircraft including jets, bomber

along with the taiwan strait, she said taiwan has contributed to regional peace and stability and to resist any unilateral chain and she will to the status quo. she said she will show the world that tie one is capable of self defense and protecting ty, when he's democracy and sovereignty. that's it for me for now. all the back up the top of the, with much more news here on out here with tiny hidden cameras and the nose are illegally filming, and sharing people's most intimate moments. when used to investigate south korea's by coming the demick on al jazeera, unkindly, the cost is the will to dependence on coal and dollar investment is about to get a bailout. that is why the launch is the digital volleyball game and attempt to revive its currency. and back to the seventy's degradation making an unwelcome with counting the cost on al jazeera, every war meets a devastating impact killing me environment. earth rise explodes, some of the efforts to recover what was lost from the syrian scientists. safeguarding one of our most valuable results is these are important samples. we have to mak

would in taiwan society as well. i want our forces. it also appears to be looking to undermine ty, when's president saying when, who has been cold to the idea of closer relations and is seen by china as an obstacle to its ultimate goal of unification. with these latest incursions it seems bay jane wants to send a message about the changing dynamics across the taiwan strait. not only to taiwan, but to the international community, including the united states. at a time of increasing tensions with washington. in an apparent attempt to deescalate the situation, you as president joe biden weighed in on the ongoing tensions by didn't seem to confirm the united states continued commitment to giving china diplomatic recognition in return for bay ging not threatening taiwan militarily. we agree. bye bye. i want agreement that we are new, we made it clear that i'll be doing it by degrees. this latest bank comes at a significant moment for the 2 neighbors with china having just marked the october 1st anniversary of its founding

so as to deter taiwan from even contemplating any steps. they were not planning to take any steps they simply want to maintain that they are a sovereign country that china cannot absorb by force. and what do you make of president xi's comments on saturday the taiwan will have to reunify with china? certainly xi jinping's claims that taiwan will have to be absorbed by china. they are of a piece with his broader dream. the taiwanese president has every right to feel anger and the people of taiwan have a right to feel frustrated that china will not seek to negotiate their differences as equals and respect the people of taiwan's hard—won democracy and i think president xi is going to continue to try to rattle his sabre. the reality is that his sabre cannot achieve what he wants. there is no cost—acceptable way for china to engage taiwan militarily because it would mean engaging taiwan, the us, japan and many other countries, possibly even the uk. and that is far too costly for china to win that conflict and think that it could do in a way that

that's the air space running up to the island of taiwan. but it is the scale, the number of aircraft in the last 4 days that says worried taiwan. and in recent years, taiwan has been looking at the military build up in a china with some alarm. it was always the case that taiwan, thanks in large part to the supplies of f sixteens and so on from the united states . it had a military superiority when it came to the technological capabilities of its weaponry. that is still the case to some extent, but a china is quickly closing the gap and is there also is a recognition in taiwan or of china is increasing economic strength. that is now the jug a lot of asia and is using that economic power to further isolate taiwan. so a taiwan is feely, increasingly under pressure. china is happy to exert that pressure, especially with the currency incumbents of the presidency. they're saying when in taiwan, who was taken unlike her predecessors a far more stand osh offish approach a to china was to keep china at arms length. and china is happy to try to under

towards taiwan and towards taiwan stat.nd i'm concerned that long-standing policy and it's a policy that exists across democrat and republican administrations. i'm concerned that it is undermining our efforts to bolster taiwan. i have long advocated there is great virtue to clarity. in foreign policy. the state department is notorious for embracing lack of clarity. and strategic ambiguity seems to be one of the favorite tools of foggy bottom. in the context of china and taiwan, the chinese communist party, i believe, interprets ambiguity as weakness and a signal we're not committed to taiwan's security. how do you assess our current efforts to deter china and what do you think the role that strategic ambiguity has in the current efforts? >> thank you, senator. my own view and this is the view, of course, and more importantly of the biden administration. the smartest and effective way for us to help deter aggressive actions by taiwan across the taiwan straight will be to stay with the policy that's been in place. and that's

— with taiwan? president xi jin - in: with taiwan? president xi jinping and _ with taiwan?and his _ with taiwan? president xi jinping and his claims - with taiwan? president xi jinping and his claims are | with taiwan? president xi i jinping and his claims are at peace with his broader china dream. and of course the president of taiwan, tsai ing—wen, has a right to feel angry and frustrated that china will not seek to negotiate their differences as equals and respect the people of taiwan's hard—won democracy and i think that president xi jinping would try to continue to rattle his labour but the reality is a sabre cannot achieve what he wants. —— sabre. but this cannot achieve what he wants, because it means engaging with taiwan, united states and japan, possibly the united kingdom, and that would simply be far too costly for china to win a conflict and think it can do so in a way that is acceptable. the electricity grid of lebanon has shut down, leaving the country without power for the second weekend. official says unlikely supplies or resume on monday amid an ongoing cri

it is trying to test taiwan's defences. every time the bei'in: test taiwan's defences.to its air defence zone taiwan has two really scramble jets. defence zone taiwan has two really scramblejets. if it defence zone taiwan has two really scramble jets. if it wants to, it does not have to i guess but it needs to monitor need to test own resources. beijing is also testing diplomatic boundaries as well. how far can it go? how many planes can fly into that air defence zone before others respond? and how will they respond? so there's that. also domestically this is a time where china is celebrating their national day, nationalist sentiments are very high. this is the time when many people are flying chinese flags outside their homes, they are spread across neighbourhoods across china. and i think beijing is not a bit of a high right now. they successfully subdued opposition in hong kong and now i think they are looking to show what more they can do and so really it is buying into that sort of nationalist sentiment that is really running high throughout china right now. �* , ,

— flight paths into the air zone of taiwan? ., , ., , , of taiwan?e problems ofthe of taiwan? one of the problems of the regularity _ of taiwan? one of the problems of the regularity of _ of taiwan? one of the problems of the regularity of these - of the regularity of these kinds of manoeuvres is that people stop taking them seriously and they can continue in numbers and they can continue to force the taiwanese side to scramble theirjets and respond and continue to intimidate and coerce the taiwanese people but ultimately, china is not looking to pick a fight right this moment. i don't think that is in the best interest. they know that they're not ready for such a conflict if they wanted to go down that path and so, i think one of the problems is you end up in the credible situation and were all talking about it now as we should be, but that is going to keep going up but that is going to keep going up in numbers i think there's going to understand. the problem as we have had so many of these incursions, the risk of these incursions, the risk of an ac

if they want to attack taiwan, they - to attack taiwan, they currently have the ability.l be resolved. we are not committing any provocations but if we make them mad, just like us, we will also show you what capabilities we have got. so after 2025, thatis we have got. so after 2025, that is our assessment. china will be fully prepared. this hasn't come out of the blue. since friday a record number of chinese warplanes have entered essbase around the taiwan's defence zone stoppages to be clear this is not the same as taiwan's territorial essbase which china hasn't entered. over 150 chinese warplanes have entered the area including jet and clear capable bombers. this was monday when 56 were seen. let's bring in drew thompson, a former pentagon official responsible for china and taiwan, he is now a visiting senior research fellow at the school of public policy in singapore. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for having me. we will aet thank you for having me. we will get onto _ thank you for having me. we will get onto the specifics with taiwan in just a second

has more on the reaction from taiwan. the defense minister went on to say that the fact the relations now the tensions with china are the worst they have been. he says, for a 40 years, i think taiwan has been genuinely rattled by the scale of this incursion. china, as we know for many months now, has been sending air craft towards the island into the air defense identification's own. that's the air space running up to the island of taiwan. but it is the scale, the number of aircraft in the last 4 days that says winery taiwan. and in recent years, taiwan has been looking at the military build up in a china with some alarm. it was always the case that taiwan, thanks in large part to the supplies of f sixteens and so on from the united states . it had a military superiority when it came to the technological capabilities of its weaponry. that is still the case to some extent, but a china is quickly closing the gap and is there also is a recognition in taiwan or of china is increasing economic strength. that is now the jug a l

if taiwan took a route towards formally declaring independence, china's view is that taiwan is a renegade breakaway province. that one day will be re unified with the mainland. china has made threats of before now that it will be prepared to take military action in order to achieve that is she jumping in his speech saturday, didn't use the word force, but he has spoken in such terms previously. and many people in taiwan woods simply look more at china's actions than what china says and the actions these increasing incursions the military build up, especially when it comes to the increased capability of china's navy with the addition of aircraft carriers. and so it really does a, i think, worry, worry taiwan and makes it look at it at its own defenses. and we did have this warning just in the past week from a ty, ones defense minister that within a few years will. so although the taiwan still operates and receives very sophisticated equipment from its allies, the united states, in just a few years, the chinese military would be in a position to completely overwhelm the islands and take it

with in theory, taiwan being next. she called for the peaceful reunification with taiwan. but warned that there should be no foreign interference. basically, this being taken as a warning to the us not to get involved. he also had a very stern warning for anybody in taiwan who might be considering taking the path of actual independence. suddenly a good java, taiwan independence is the greatest obstacle to national unification and a grave danger. national rejuvenation goes for forget their heritage, betrayed their motherland and seek to split the country. oh, it will come to no good and they will be scorned by the people and condemned by history. taiwan marks its national day on sunday with an administration and the people who are by and large set against any talk of re unification. especially in the face of increasing tensions and the incursions by nearly a 150 a war plains from mainland china. a week ago in statements issued on saturday, a taiwan cold on bay ging to abandon what he described as provocative intrusions and harassment. saying that the future of the island re

president, xijinping, about taiwan and they have agreed to abide by the taiwan agreement.ce against the backdrop of torque expected between the two countries later today and, certainly, i imagine taiwan will come off as an issue between the two sides. well, let us take a look at some of the other stories in the headlines today. the democrats save the us senate will vote on wednesday on their proposals to suspend america's debt ceiling. the borrowing limit will expire in a fortnight, which would mean parts of the government having to close down. at least ten republicans will need to vote with the democrats for it to pass. so far they have indicated they won't support it as long as the democrats plan huge increases in social spending. chinese officials are reported to have told the organisers of the g20 summit, which is due to be held in rome at the end of this month, that president xijinping at the end of this month, that president xi jinping will not attend in person. mr sea has not left china since january 2020, it is reported the reason for him staying away from the rain

. >>> taiwan set to show off its u.s. made patriot missile and a big military parade meant to get china's attention. we will take you there live and talk about thousand taiwan becoming a major test for president biden and why every american should care about what is happening there. >>> also ahead, i speak to a doctor who enrolled her 16-month-old son in the covid vaccine trial for kids. >>> then why your holiday gift orders may take longer to reach their destination this year. >>> and finally, i meet a family who escaped the violence in afghanistan to start a new life in america. how it's going for them coming up in the show. ♪ you pour your heart into everything you do, which is a lot. so take care of that heart with lipton. because sippin' on unsweetened lipton can help support a healthy heart. lipton. stop chuggin'. start sippin'. wealth is your first big investment. worth is a partner to help share the load. wealth is saving a little extra. worth is knowing it's never too late to start - or too early. ♪ ♪ wealth help

the nationals fled to taiwan. that war is not over until taiwan becomes a part of china. 80% of wars are fought over territory. we can ask this question about any country, why does the united states need to keep texas or california? why does another country need a part of its territory? this is built in to the psyche of the chinese people and the communist party, that their national rejuvenation cannot be complete until the decades-long civil war comes to an end. >> richard, oriana said it's almost core, almost existential for mainland china. should it be core for the united states? as you know, a lot of people wonder would the united states go to war for taiwan, should it? >> i would argue it should be, fareed. one is we've already given extensive commitments to taiwan, so to walk back from those would have real repercussions all over the world. our allies in asia assume we are committed to taiwan. this is a democracy of 23 million people. it's the producer of the most advanced microchips in the world. that all h

well, this is a start warning from taiwan. and i think a taiwan has been genuinely rattled by the a scale of the incursions over the past few days in the last couple of years or so we've seen these types of aerial incursions launched from mainland china into what's called the air defense identification zone. this is the air space that runs up to the island on the approaches to the island at. but really it was the scale of that. the last few days that i think is alarmed people in taiwan, abba, nearly a 150 aircraft. i think a taiwan has been looking with some alarm just at the scale of the and of the growth of the military air in mainland china, especially the, it's growing air air force. and also it's a naval capability. the addition of all of these aircraft carriers and so on, and i think on the wider than the wider front, it's also a recognition by tie one that i, that it's china is economically also. and now that juggernaut in asia, where is in decades gone by, taiwan, used to be able to rely upon it's a more advanced indus

, including the taiwan society and taiwan armed forces. >> it appears to be looking to undermine taiwan'sresident who has been called to the idea of closer relations and is seen by china as an obstacle. it seems beijing >> to send a message about the changing dynamics across the taiwan strait, not only to taiwan but to the international community, including the united states, at a time of increasing tension with washington. in an apparent attempt to de-escalate the situation, u.s. president joe biden weighed in on the detentions. biden seemed to confirm the united states' deal to give beijing recognition -- >> we will abide by the taiwan agreement. that is where we are, and we made it clear that i don't think he should be doing anything other than abiding by the agreement. >> this latest spat comes at a significant moment for the neighbors, with china having just marked the october 1 anniversary of its founding and taiwan about to celebrate its national day. both with a very differing ideas on what their future relationship should look like. al jazeera, hong kong. lauren: top advisers to

has yet to explicit to defend taiwan from an attack. >> we need to help taiwan, provide more supportnd more fundamentally we need to make it clear to xi jinping that we will support taiwan, that we will come to its aid. arthel: let's bring in dr. rebecca grant, she's national security and military analyst and president of iris independent research. dr. grant, last weekend i said that overtaking taiwan is on president xi jinping's bucket list. did the quick fall of afghanistan make checking the box easier for more likely for china? >> yes, i think it did and you are right. xi jinping wants to reunify china and taiwan because, remember, taiwan was the part that didn't get put together there and the revolution back in 1949. xi has made clear that's what he wants to do and here is what worries me. we used to think about a big invasion across the straight but when taliban walked into kabul i think that has china thinking of quicker decapitation attack and maybe they can put in a small force on taiwan and take over and would the u.s. and allies do anything? that's what they are thinking ab

to try to move on taiwan?p that we have with the u.s. and also the support of the people of the u.s. as well as the congress and the administration has been very helpful. >> reporter: taiwan's defense minister says china could launch a full-scale war by 2025. he says military tensions are the worst in more than 40 years. >> we have to extradite our military reform so that we have the ability to defend ourselves. and given the size of taiwan compared to the size of the prc, developing a symmetric capability is the key for us. >> how prepared is taiwan today? >> we are trying to make us stronger in every aspect. that includes our military capability. and our international support. >> reporter: support bolstered, she says, by taiwan's critical importance to the global supply chain. the island is a world leader in semiconductors. taiwan was asia's fastest growing economy last year. a fact president tsai proudly points out over lunch. >> this is one of my favorite foods. >> all right. >> reporter: despite everythin

she mentioned the east c at where taiwan is located. that is, of course, where we saw the incursion last weekend by these waves of war plains, from the mainland china. interestingly, she referred to these incursions by maidens by a croft these fighters and bombers from the bay land and said it gave that taiwan the chance to show what it has a cause. it scrambles its own fight to jets, to i fly, go up and intercept if they need to. if they up and encroach too closely to the island of taiwan and she said it gave a given the taiwanese, the chance to see all the different hardware that tile taiwan can now brandish. but she also had warnings about what the future might hold. this idea of re unification, holding up the example of hong kong because these hong kong is absorbed back into mainland china on to the so called one country to systems process by which a we are one country. but here in hong kong, it is meant to maintain certain freedoms as certain as things like a right of expression, right of association, right? to demonstrate, have a

but in an address on taiwan's national day, president tsai ing—wen said no one could force taiwan ton's national day celebrations, a visual show of defiance after rising tensions with china, which views the island as a breakaway province. taiwan disagrees, with a pledge to defend its sovereignty and democracy. taiwan's president, tsai ing—wen, said she was hoping for an easing of relations and would not act irrationally, but insisted taiwanese people would not bow to pressure. —— would not act rationally. tensions have been rising after around a record 150 chinese warplanes made incursions into taiwan's air defence zone, includingjets, bombers and spy planes, injust four days. on saturday, china marked the 110th anniversary of a 1911 revolution which saw the last chinese imperial dynasty toppled. china's president said reunification with taiwan should be achieved, adding chinese people had a glorious tradition of opposing separatism. translation: national reunification by peaceful means best serves - the interest of the chinese nation as a whole, which includes our compatriots in tai

unlike taiwan unlikely that the u. s. would risk a larger war defending taiwan less. washington actually desired the larger war. now, some argue that a limited conflict over taiwan, more interest in the south china sea is possible, but this is doubtful. even a small conflict would create a point of no return. and us china relations that have severe security and economic consequences with global implications. and aside from that, it's not clear that tie one would survive the conflict, even if the u. s. h. it. but as a general question of trust, one has to consider what the usa, libya can ascend, occurred and many other through time and understand the u. s. commitments can be ineffective and fickle, who point to ruination. bottom line is that the situation appears to be increasingly dangerous. over the past several months, perhaps went out saying the u. s. stepping back from the brink. the agreement to hold a virtual summit between the us and china and justice, excuse me, the chinese presidents not of the american president. they say it should happen by the end of the y

so somewhere between join is planes and the west ships is ill. taiwan yourself. taiwan is defense minister says relations with china are at their worst. and for decades, this little island, which keeps itself busy making semiconductors, which make, show everything in your house work properly lives in a very strange diplomatic. never world. i mean, i'm not going to go into the history now because you can read wikipedia as well as i can, but essentially taiwan believes itself as an independent nation who has china does not believe that president g of china has euphemistically been talking about re unification for some years now saying things like, we do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the right to use all necessary measures. us kind of hints that it will come to tie one's aid of a war actually starts. and in a very american wave beads in loads of weapons. if on the wall street journal said this week that actually some usa usa already station there. but there is no official defense packed with washington. and america still doesn't officially recognized taiwan as an indepe

that includes our compatriots in taiwan.rnal matter for china and there should be no outside interference. the chinese president struck a softer tone in this latest statement. in the past, he has threatened to use force to bring taiwan under the control of beijing. at the beginning of the month, china mounted four days of large—scale exercises over the taiwan strait, involving almost 150 military aircraft includingjets, bombers and spy planes. the taiwanese government and its allies said this was being provocative. ahead of sunday's national day celebrations, the taiwanese president was defiant in response to the remarks by the chinese president and remarked that the taiwanese people will defend their freedom. translation: we continue to work hard to uphold - the front lines of democracy and freedom, to strengthen our ties with our international partners through shared values and to contribute more to the world. we see our fighterjets in the sky, completely in control and protecting our airspace. when someone intrudes, our p