– We support China – VG

Less than 20 minutes ago

–

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the country stands behind President Xi Jinping and China’s view of the “One China” policy.

– We support China’s “One China” policy when it comes to Taiwan, says Lavrov according to the Reuters news agency.

– We have no problem with maintaining the principle of China’s sovereignty, Lavrov added.

The statements come a day after US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held their fifth video call.

– Those who play with fire, will be burned, Xi is said to have stated to Chinese state media, according to Reuters.

The temperature in the South China Sea is currently hot. Especially the island of Taiwan and the view of China’s so-called “one China” policy and ownership of the disputed island are the subject of debate between the superpowers the United States and China.

Experts have previously speculated about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may have paved the way for the Chinese to dare to take Taiwan by force.

–

– Banned from the west

– Russia is firmly on China’s side. The war in Ukraine contributed to Russia being closer to China both politically, economically and militarily, says NTNU professor Jo Jakobsen to VG.

– Russia is in a situation where they are banned by the West from participating in normal and political life. Russia is important to China, but China is even more important to Russia, he adds to Jakobsen.

Despite the heated atmosphere in recent days, Jakobsen believes that it is unlikely that there will be a military conflict between either the USA, China or Taiwan as of now.

– Even if Russia now comes out and says that they support the Chinese leader, they do not have the capacity now to help China in a possible military conflict with Taiwan, says the professor.

The United States common main enemy

Jakobsen says the background to the collaboration, which only gets closer and closer, is their common enemy.

– Both of these countries are interested in changing the world order, both economically and territorially. Then the USA is the main enemy in both countries, says Jakobsen.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have increased in recent years, and China has made it clear that it will not hesitate to start a war if Taiwan declares independence.

– There is a risk there. I think China primarily needs to signal that the Taiwan issue is extremely important to them. When and if an invasion is not certain, but the time for China is not right yet, even if they are getting stronger.

Can get goofy

The Democrats’ powerful speaker of Congress, Nancy Pelosi, plans to visit Taiwan in August. Pelosi is third in rank in the official United States, after the president and vice president.

– It will be a really tense situation if Pelosi defies Biden’s recommendation and travels to Taiwan. China can then use the military to threaten or “intimidate” the US and Taiwan, says Jakobsen.

The USA finds itself in a tricky situation both domestically and abroad.

– China interprets Pelosi as a top figure, which she is not directly. Congress does not want the US to give in to Chinese pressure. This issue is a domestic political hot-button issue. If she doesn’t travel there will be a row in the US, if she does there will be a row between the US and China. concludes Jakobsen.

–