Opinion | On China relations and Taiwan, it’s time for the US to grow up

The latest round of intense speculation about US-China conflict over the island started on October 21, when President Joe Biden was asked whether the United States would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by mainland forces and he told CNN: “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”

That was followed by a statement issued on October 26 by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, saying: “We encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community.”

In an obviously orchestrated moment that same week, Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, confirmed to CNN the presence of US troops on the island. Citing a threat from Beijing that was growing “every day”, she said: “We have a wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defence capability.” This was tantamount to spitting in Beijing’s face while holding Washington’s protective hand more tightly.

However, while Beijing has been unequivocal in regarding Taiwan as among China’s core interests, and people have reason to be anxious about what might come next, I do not foresee any real possibility of Beijing initiating war over Taiwan.