US Strategic Ambiguity Over Taiwan Must End by Abe Shinzō
Project SyndicateApr 12, 2022
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China Stages Military Exercises After US Reps Visit Taiwan
Last updated Jul 22, 2022
Image credit: Taiwan Presidential Office [via AP]Facts
- China said it has conducted military drills around Taiwan on Fri. as "a countermeasure to the recent negative actions of the US," including the visit of a delegation of Congressional reps.
- The visiting US delegation declared their support for Taipei while also issuing a warning to China.
- They held a meeting with the President Tsai Ing-wen, in which Taiwan was described as a "country of global significance," with security implications for the world.
- The bipartisan delegation, which includes the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez (D-NJ), landed in Taiwan on Thurs. for the unannounced visit.
- Beijing has warned the US against playing with "fire over Taiwan," calling this latest visit an open provocation.
- The US has stepped up weapons sales in past years to Taiwan. Yet it's unclear if the US would intervene in the case of a military invasion by the PRC.
Spin
Anti-China narrative
China must have no doubt that invading Taiwan will have severe consequences. 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
US lawmakers are acting irresponsibly with their various official visits to Taiwan and public declarations in favor of its secession. 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
The Metaculus Community predicts a 8% chance that there will be a military conflict between the PRC and Taiwan before 2023.
