While Biden has historically not supported Taiwan’s independence, his voting record and statements on China, as well as his national security team, should reassure Taipei that the US will stand by the island.

Taipei must consider the possibility that Washington is using it as a pawn to frustrate Beijing. There is disturbing evidence that US President Donald Trump considers relations with Taiwan expendable in the context of a deal he could make with China.

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders need only look at the contrast between Hong Kong and Macau to see why ‘one country, two systems’ won’t work in Taiwan. The current, albeit ambiguous, cross-strait status quo is the best-case scenario for Beijing

China can use the recent strain in the US-Pakistan relationship to promote a new model of international development, but must be wary of becoming the sole external power responsible for maintaining stability in the region