China Warns Taiwan of US Exploitation and Potential Abandonment

A spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, commented on the potential consequences of Taiwan's relationship with the United States. She suggested that if the current authorities allow the US to exploit Taiwan's resources, the island could eventually be discarded once its usefulness is exhausted.

Zhu's statements were prompted by a recent poll conducted by the Brookings Institution. The poll revealed a significant decrease in Taiwanese public trust and confidence in the United States. The survey, carried out between February and April, showed a notable decline in positive views of the US compared to the previous year.

The poll also indicated a decrease in the percentage of respondents who considered the US a trustworthy ally. Furthermore, fewer respondents believed the US would likely intervene in a military conflict. Zhu questioned the reasons behind this erosion of trust, attributing it to the perception that the US prioritizes its own interests above all else.

Zhu further stated that the US views Taiwan primarily as a financial asset and a tool to contain the Chinese mainland. She outlined four specific actions the US has been pressuring Taiwan to undertake. These include transferring key industries to the US, increasing defense spending on US weapons, militarizing the island, and imposing high tariffs that negatively impact Taiwanese industries.