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China Condemns US Warship Transit Through Taiwan Strait

China Condemns US Warship Transit Through Taiwan Strait
Last updated Jul 28, 2022
Image credit: AP [via Washington Post]

Facts

  • On Wed., China protested the passage of a US warship through the Taiwan Strait, which occurred on Tues. The PLA's Eastern Theatre Command accused the US of sending the "wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces" by provoking China.
  • According to a statement from the US 7th Fleet stationed in Japan, the USS Sampson conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, affriming it demonstrated the "United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."
  • In mid-Mar., a US warship also transited the strait. China condemned this action as "very dangerous."
  • US Sec. of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was determined to support Taiwan against any potential attack, "including unilateral action by China."
  • Meanwhile, Beijing called on Washington to adhere to the One-China policy. Defense Minister Wei Fenghe stressed that the PLA would "resolutely safeguard" China's "national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity."

Spin

Anti-China narrative

The US' traditional strategy of ambiguity with regard to Taipei must be reformed in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Washington must stand for freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the Pacific.

Pro-China narrative

The US should respect the agreed upon One-China policy. The PRC doesn't want a conflict but it's prepared to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Nerd narrative

There is a 7% chance that there will be a military conflict between the PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan) before 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community."


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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