Pompeo responds to China’s threat, says Trump administration first to take it ‘seriously’

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has responded to China’s threat to retaliate if United States deploys intermediate-range missiles in Asia Pacific region. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian h said that China “firmly opposes” deployment, ding that Beijing will t sit idle and will take all necessary measures to counter.

Wu said that if United States insists on deploying missiles at its military bases in Japan, it will be provoking China to take necessary measures to resolutely fight back. He also suggested Japan and or “relevant” countries proceed cautiously from perspective of regional peace and stability and t fall “victim” to geopolitical plot of United States. 

Responding to Wu’s comment, Pompeo said that behaviour of China puts security of American people at risk, and Trump ministration will take threat “seriously”.

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Battle of dominance

China has been wary of US presence in Asia Pacific since its military might could prove a major counterbalancing force to Beijing’s expansionist policy. Recently, US Navy sailed a guided-missile destroyer through highly sensitive Taiwan Strait as Si-US relations hit nir amid coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan strait is a disputed zone since self-governing island republic considers itself as sovereign while China claims province as Beijing’s territory under its one-China policy. In recent months, China and United States have increased ir military activities near Taiwan which later calls “ordinary mission”. strait has been witnessing regular US sailings as Washington has emerged as a strong supporter of Taiwan’s inclusion on international platforms.

Meanwhile, US has been challenging Beijing’s claim on South China Sea and helping Taiwan militarily too boost its defence inventory. Last month, Taiwan revealed that it is planning to buy Harpoon anti-ship missiles from United States to deal with rising threat from China.

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