US panel on China policy recommends several steps to deter Beijing from invading Taiwan
- US-China Economic and Security Review Commission takes hard line, with chair saying ‘the Chinese government deepened its embrace of aggression … and coercion’
- Annual report’s analysis of challenges facing Beijing include China’s income inequality, technological dependence on the West and growing distrust overseas
The US government’s leading advisory panel on China policy urged Congress on Wednesday to deter mainland China from invading Taiwan by authorising and funding less vulnerable US bases in the Indo-Pacific, “large numbers” of ballistic and anti-ship missiles and more regional intelligence operations.
In an exhaustive 539-page annual report, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission also called on lawmakers to ensure that US financial capital entering the mainland does not end up supporting China’s military-industrial complex or the Chinese Communist Party.
“The Chinese government deepened its embrace of aggression, ‘Wolf Warrior’ behaviour and coercion, heightening concerns throughout the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere in the world about China‘s rise,” said Carolyn Bartholomew, the commission chair, said at a briefing about the report’s release. “As it grows increasingly belligerent in some places and bellicose in others, China‘s leaders have put the onus of improving relationships on the other party.”
The hard-line report, which reflects growing distrust of China’s motives across the US political spectrum, comes as tensions have ratcheted up over Taiwan. Even before a delegation of Republican lawmakers visited Taipei last week, China had sent scores of fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers in recent weeks into the island’s air defence zone.
“We want to prevent that conflict,” said Alex Wong, another commissioner.