Taiwanese Military Perform Drills As Part Of Annual Military Holiday Celebrations (Photo : Getty Images)
With relations between Taiwan and China already strained, the accidental firing of a missile on Friday aimed at China only worsened the situation.
Notwithstanding the lack of communication between Taipei and Beijing after China cut diplomatic ties, the Asian giant nevertheless asked from Taiwan on Saturday for a "responsible explanation" for the incident, reported Business Standard. The supersonic anti-ship missile killed a Taiwanese fisherman and injured three others when it flew 75 kilometers before it plunged into waters off Penghu.
Xinhua News Agency reported that military officials from Taiwan had apologized for the missile blunder.
Zhang, head of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, noted that “The incident occurred and caused severe impact at a time when the mainland has repeatedly emphasized safeguarding peaceful development of cross-Strait relations based on the political foundation of the 1992 Consensus.”
The missiles are part of Taiwan’s military buildup to deter threats from China. Besides Taiwan’s seeking independence, its close ties to the U.S. is something that Beijing frowns on.
The missile incident happened while Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stopped over in Los Angeles on her way back after a nine-day official visit to Paraguay and Panama, reported Taiwan Today. It was her first trip overseas as president of Taiwan.
While at a banquet in Los Angeles hosted by American officials and Taiwanese expatriates, the president was quoted as saying, “Taiwan-U.S. relations continue developing and maturing, and are the most significant friendship for Taiwan in the 21st century.” It is a contrast to Taipei’s icy diplomatic relations with Beijing.
