Taiwan says China wants to “emulate” the Taliban

TAIPEI, Aug 21 (Reuters) – Taiwan’s foreign minister on Saturday accused China of wanting to “emulate” the Taliban, saying the island of Beijing claims sovereign Chinese territory did not want to be subjected to communism. nor to the crimes against humanity.

The rapid fall of the U.S. government, backed by the United States, has sparked heated debate in Taiwan over whether they could suffer the same fate as a Chinese invasion, while state media in China said Kabul’s fate proved to Taiwan. who cannot trust Washington.

Writing on Twitter in response to the U.S. State Department reiterating a call for China to stop pressuring the island, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu expressed his gratitude to the United States for maintaining the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan.

“They include democracy and freedom against communism, authoritarianism and crimes against humanity,” Wu said.

“China dreams of emulating the Taliban, but let me be forceful: we have the will and the means to defend ourselves,” Wu added, without detailing it.

There was no immediate response from China, the Taiwan Affairs Office did not answer calls seeking comments Saturday outside of business hours.

China has tried to establish ties with the Taliban despite its own concerns about the possible effect on what Beijing sees as Islamist extremists operating in China’s Xinjiang.

Afghanistan has become the latest issue of Taiwan and China.

Taiwan has complained of intensifying Chinese diplomatic and military pressure in recent months, including repeated exercises by the Air Force and Navy near the island, which has caused concern in Washington and other Western capitals.

Taiwan is a baffling democracy whose people have shown little interest in being ruled by autocratic China.

Beijing has also been angered by U.S. support for Taiwan, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei, including the regular sale of weapons to the United States.

Ben Blanchard Reports; edited by Jane Wardell

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