Khartoum announces support for China’s claims over Taiwan

August 3, 2022 (KHARTOUM)  – Sudan on Wednesday announced its support for China’s claims to Taiwan, an island roughly 100 miles from the coast of southeast China.

The support comes a day after United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the breakaway province, defying a string of increasingly stark warnings and threats from China that have sent tensions between the world’s two superpowers soaring.

“Khartoum supports the principle of one China, considering Taiwan as an inalienable part of it, and supports Beijing’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Sudanese Foreign Affairs ministry said in a statement extended to the Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

The foreign ministry pointed out that Sudan maintains distinguished political, economic and diplomatic relations with China, and the two countries exchange common benefits, in addition to support and assistance in regional and international forums.

Pelosi was quoted saying her visit to the island did not conflict with Washington’s “one China” policy.

China’s Defence Ministry announced limited military actions, through a series of military exercises around Taiwan, including the firing of long-range live ammunition in the strait separating the island from mainland China.

Taiwan says that China has sent 27 combat aircraft to its air defence zone and that 22 of them crossed the mid-line separating the island and China, amid rising tension in the region.

Western experts say if China was to take over Taiwan, it could be freer to project power in the western Pacific region and could possibly even threaten US military bases as far away as Guam and Hawaii.

China has, however, insisted that its intentions are purely peaceful.

(ST)