My Take | The US is priming Asia-Pacific for war
- For Washington, containing China is more important than risking the lives of millions in the region. Such a war will, after all, be fought on the other side of the world, so far as ordinary Americans – already sold on the evil of communist China and the benevolence of their own country – are concerned
The war in Ukraine has not caused mainland China to invade Taiwan, but it has provided a cover for Washington to double down on its aggressive Indo-Pacific strategy, of which the island is an integral part.
The United States has jettisoned its long-standing one-China policy in all but name. In doing so, it is willing to risk a regional war that can easily spin out of control.
Beijing has been incensed by the US and Japan over their provocative moves. In a phone call this week with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Yang Jiechi, Beijing’s top foreign policy adviser, accused the Biden administration of failing to live up to its past commitments, especially on Taiwan.
In another heated exchange with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi during a video conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticised Tokyo for destabilising bilateral ties with “negative moves on Taiwan and other issues involving China’s core interests and major concerns”.
Of course, all sides know what’s happening, but China’s enemies are happy with Washington’s bait-and-switch tactic over “one China”.
Without formally declaring it, America has brazenly made it a matter of foreign policy that Taiwan will never be allowed to be part of the mainland, even if it means war.