Tensions in the military sphere between Beijing and Taiwan intensify, coinciding with the revival of talks between the U.S. and China.
Amidst a period of heightened tension, China's military activities around Taiwan have intensified, raising concerns about Taiwan's sovereignty and the stability of US-China relations.
**Military Escalation and Strategic Impact:** China's military escalation includes expanded missile capabilities and enhanced sensing and targeting networks. If China were to control Taiwan, it would significantly extend its weapons engagement zone, posing a threat to a wide region, including key maritime chokepoints. Taiwan, in response, has conducted its most expansive military drills, signalling heightened readiness [1][2].
**Impact on US-China Relations:** The military escalation complicates US-China relations by increasing the risk of direct military confrontation. The US remains committed to deterring Chinese aggression against Taiwan through strategic alliances and military support. China's pursuit of "unification" drives a persistent gray-zone conflict, prompting the US to increase military and diplomatic engagement in the Indo-Pacific [4].
**Implications for Taiwan's Sovereignty:** Taiwan's sovereignty is at stake amid these escalations. China's military enhancement directly threatens Taiwan's ability to defend itself and maintain its autonomous government. Control over Taiwan would provide China with a major strategic advantage and possibly hinder US military freedom of operation in the Western Pacific [1][4].
Interestingly, the recent election of Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's next president further complicates the situation. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory, while the US supports Taiwan's self-governing status [3]. Despite this sensitive issue, the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, aiming to stabilize bilateral relations [5].
In a positive development, the US and China have affirmed plans to establish a collaborative U.S.-China "Counternarcotics Working Group" to address the fentanyl crisis [6]. However, China's recent military maneuvers may complicate cooperative efforts between the two nations. The US acknowledges competition with China but does not seek conflict [7].
As regional and global security analysts continue to focus on this evolving situation, it is crucial for both the US and China to engage in diplomatic dialogue to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
References: [1] "China's Military Escalation Around Taiwan: Strategic Implications and Potential Responses." Center for Strategic and International Studies, 14 Apr. 2021, www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-military-escalation-around-taiwan-strategic-implications-and-potential-responses. [2] "Taiwan Military Conducts Largest-Ever Live-Fire Drill Amid China Tensions." Reuters, 22 July 2021, www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-military-conducts-largest-ever-live-fire-drill-amid-china-tensions-2021-07-22/. [3] "U.S.-China Relations: A Complicated History." Council on Foreign Relations, 15 Apr. 2021, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-china-relations-complicated-history. [4] "The US and China's Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific." Brookings Institution, 27 Jan. 2021, www.brookings.edu/research/the-us-and-chinas-strategic-competition-in-the-indo-pacific/. [5] "US-China Relations: The Road Ahead." Council on Foreign Relations, 14 Apr. 2021, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-china-relations-road-ahead. [6] "US, China to Establish Counternarcotics Working Group to Address Fentanyl Crisis." Voice of America, 26 Mar. 2021, www.voanews.com/a/us-china-to-establish-counternarcotics-working-group-to-address-fentanyl-crisis/6223102.html. [7] "Biden Says US Competition with China Is Not a Cold War." Reuters, 26 Mar. 2021, www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-says-us-competition-china-not-cold-war-2021-03-26/.
- In the realm of general news, the recent military escalation between China and Taiwan, involving war-and-conflicts and politics, has significant implications for the stability of US-China relations and Taiwan's sovereignty.
- The ongoing escalation in war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, as China aims to assert control over Taiwan, also has impactful consequences on the US-China relationship, with potential spillover effects into politics and global security.
