China threatens US: There will be 'military conflict' if Biden supports Taiwanese independence: In what could be read as either a warning or a threat, China's ambassador to the United States said Thursday there will be "military conflict" between the U.S. and China should the island nation of Taiwan attempt to become fully independent from Xi Jinping's communist regime. In an interview with NPR, ambassador Qin Gang asserted that Taiwan is "walking down the road toward independence" and said, "If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict." While Russian aggression on Ukraine's borders may precipitate war in Eastern Europe, China is taking increasingly aggressive action toward Taiwan under President Joe Biden's watch. Days ago, Chinese warplanes flew through Taiwan's southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone in what was the largest incursion on Taiwanese territory since last October, when China few 38 planes, including bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, through the ADIZ. The People's Republic of China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, which is the last foothold of the old pre-communist Chinese government and a democracy. Last year, dictator Xi pledged to "reunify" Taiwan with mainland China and "smash" any attempts by the island nation to achieve independence from the PRC. The United States has traditionally supported Taiwan's right to be free of "force or threat" from the PRC. As a candidate for president, Joe Biden said that the U.S. has a "commitment" to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. But since assuming office and talking with Xi, Biden has backed down and said the future of Taiwan is in the country's own hands. "We are not encouraging independence," Biden said in November. And this is the US and every other country going distancing ourselves from China and Russia and letting them “Have it your way” … not much to laugh at except that we know the end chapter now! — Fair-use —- Pelosi warns US athletes not to risk 'incurring the anger' of 'ruthless' Chinese government during Olympics: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a warning message on Thursday to U.S. athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics, concluding that the Chinese communist government is "ruthless" and could damage the reputations of those competing. Speaking at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, Pelosi told the athletes that they are "there to compete" and are not to "risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless." "I know there is a temptation on the part of some to speak out while they are there," Pelosi added, one day ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games. "I respect that, but I also worry about what the Chinese government might do … to their reputations, to their families." The comments from the California congresswoman follow immense criticism of the Chinese communist regime’s human rights abuses at home, as well as its violations of international law and freedoms abroad. China's crackdown under hardline ruler Xi Jinping has been felt across wide swaths of society. Hong Kong authorities crushed anti-government protests in the city in 2019, and the central government in Beijing passed a national security law aimed at stifling dissent, leading to the arrest of activists and disbandment of civil society groups. An independent, unofficial body set up by a prominent British barrister to assess evidence on China’s alleged rights abuses against the Uyghur people concluded in December that the Chinese government committed genocide. China has consistently denied any human rights abuses in the region and has said it carried out its actions to counter extremism and ensure people's safety in the region. In the country's western region of Xinjiang, an estimated 1 million people or more — most of them Uyghurs — have been confined in reeducation camps in recent years, according to researchers. I think we need to pray for our athletes. Nicki Haley on Glen Beck said China has all kinds of spy equipment and can hear and see everything the athletes do or say. Plus while they are there, they are under China Law. In my opinion they should not be there. This is absurd...it is way too dangerous and risky. We have no control over what happens to them. Father watch over each one and keep them safe from harm. :prayer-hands: I agree Susan, if our government and many others are boycotting it from an official perspective why would we risk our athletes? I agree that our athletes shouldn't be there but I pray for their safety since they are. :prayer-hands:
