It’s not the size of the most recent arms sale to Taiwan that should bother Beijing, but the increasing frequency of the deals, and that Europe is now getting in on the act.
The US’ increasing interest in countering Beijing’s pressure on Taipei, along with the apparent failure of Taiwan’s opposition to make political gains, indicates the PRC’s approach to cross-strait relations is creating more problems than it solves.
President Xi Jinping’s softer tone on Taiwan during his meeting with a senior Taiwanese politician does not indicate a change in Beijing’s stance.
Given that military force might be China’s only option in its pursuit of Taiwan, the island’s recent drills signal its battle readiness.
The poaching of Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies may seem a symbolic victory for Beijing, but it will do little to dent the island’s relationships with its unofficial allies.
Beijing’s tough rhetoric on Taiwan is not helping its unification goal and, in fact, provides justification for the sale of American arms for Taiwan’s defence.
The new US national security strategy places relations with China outside ambiguous niceties, with the open declaration of a new era of competition.