US Strategic Ambiguity Over Taiwan Must End by Abe Shinzō
Project SyndicateApr 12, 2022
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
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."
