"When the Chinese civil war between the communists and the nationalist/republicans ended in 1949, the latter retreated to the island of Taiwan after their defeat, while the communists took over in mainland China. And since then there have been two Chinas: the Chinese one People's Republic on the mainland and then the "Republic of China", that's what the regime in Taiwan called itself and they have been hostile to each other ever since," says journalist Jens Mühling in the 334th episode of the podcast "important today".
But why is this conflict escalating now? China expert Jens Mühling has a simple reason for this in an interview with "Today important" host Michel Abdollahi: "The big party congress is coming up in the fall, at which Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic, wants to secure a third term in office, which is actually in China hasn't been planned for a long time. (...) That's why he doesn't want to reveal any weaknesses beforehand and doesn't want to show any weakness, that's why the conflict in Taiwan is so heated."
Sure, opinionated, on the 12: "important today" is not just a news podcast. We set topics and initiate debates - with attitude and sometimes uncomfortable. Host Michel Abdollahi and his team of stern and RTL reporters speak to the most exciting people from politics, society and entertainment. They let all voices have their say, both the quiet and the loud. Anyone who hears "important today" starts the day well-informed and can have a well-founded say.
However, Taiwan is also important for China economically, because the island state is the largest producer of computer chips and China, in turn, is the largest customer in the world.
And so China feels insulted, by the US and by Taiwan. "Those who insult China will be punished," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week. Journalist Jens Mühling does not currently expect any further escalation, but one will have to watch very closely how far China is really willing to go.
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