After signing an agreement with Taiwan to provide the island with ways to defend itself against an invasion, the United States continues to keep an eye on China’s developing weaponry and capability of attacking Taiwan. China deems Taiwan a “breakaway province” that needs to be reunified with the mainland and has also continuously lashed out at the US for supporting Taiwan and its independence. If an attack does happen, disruptions to China and Taiwan’s economies will deal a heavy blow to other nations’ economies as well.
In a brutal civil war in 1940, China and Taiwan stood divided on two sides over who was the legitimate government of China. Ever since, Beijing, the capital of China, has made it clear the mainland will reclaim the island one day, even if China has to do so using force.
Recently, tensions between China and the United States, one of Taiwan’s defending supporters, have increased. With China sending numerous warplanes into Taiwanese skies and the United States sending naval ships through Taiwan’s waters, both sides seem to be preparing for something dangerous.
When the US President Joe Biden referred to China as “flirting with danger” due to its actions, China responded by accusing the US of “violating its promise with Taiwan” to indirectly protect them, and “interfering in China’s affairs”.
The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley, also spoke about the matter. He told BBC News, “In terms of capability I think China clearly is developing a capability. President Xi Jinping has mentioned that in public forums, he’s mentioned it in speeches, that he has challenged the China’s People’s Liberation Army to develop the capability to attack Taiwan at some point in time. And whether they would or not, it’s a political choice, it’s a policy choice, that will be based off of how the Chinese view the cost risk benefit at the time. There’s no indications or warnings of anything imminent at this time. But again, we watch it very, very closely.”
In the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States agreed to provide Taiwan with any means the island needed to protect itself. However, the United States remains neutral with China, and respects China’s idea that Beijing is the only Chinese government.
Many fear the fact that war could erupt due to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. However, most analysts agree that this won’t be likely, for a while at least. Beijing also recognizes the fact that an invasion of Taiwan would be extremely costly.
The Chinese government and the Taiwanese government, though standing at the brink of war, maintain their stance of peace– for now. Until one nation makes a move, the future is uncertain.
Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62022308
In a brutal civil war in 1940, China and Taiwan stood divided on two sides over who was the legitimate government of China. Ever since, Beijing, the capital of China, has made it clear the mainland will reclaim the island one day, even if China has to do so using force.
Recently, tensions between China and the United States, one of Taiwan’s defending supporters, have increased. With China sending numerous warplanes into Taiwanese skies and the United States sending naval ships through Taiwan’s waters, both sides seem to be preparing for something dangerous.
When the US President Joe Biden referred to China as “flirting with danger” due to its actions, China responded by accusing the US of “violating its promise with Taiwan” to indirectly protect them, and “interfering in China’s affairs”.
The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley, also spoke about the matter. He told BBC News, “In terms of capability I think China clearly is developing a capability. President Xi Jinping has mentioned that in public forums, he’s mentioned it in speeches, that he has challenged the China’s People’s Liberation Army to develop the capability to attack Taiwan at some point in time. And whether they would or not, it’s a political choice, it’s a policy choice, that will be based off of how the Chinese view the cost risk benefit at the time. There’s no indications or warnings of anything imminent at this time. But again, we watch it very, very closely.”
In the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States agreed to provide Taiwan with any means the island needed to protect itself. However, the United States remains neutral with China, and respects China’s idea that Beijing is the only Chinese government.
Many fear the fact that war could erupt due to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. However, most analysts agree that this won’t be likely, for a while at least. Beijing also recognizes the fact that an invasion of Taiwan would be extremely costly.
The Chinese government and the Taiwanese government, though standing at the brink of war, maintain their stance of peace– for now. Until one nation makes a move, the future is uncertain.
Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62022308
