Tensions Between the US and China Rise as Taiwan’s President Visits the United States
As tensions between the U.S. and China are already heightened due to multiple issues, China’s threats to retaliate if U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meets with Taiwanese President Tsai Ingwen during her US visit next week, is adding fuel to the fire. Taiwan is a self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.
Despite Beijing’s strong objections, Tsai is planning on visiting Los Angeles on April 5th where she is expected to meet with McCarthy and other high-level U.S. officials. China has demanded that no U.S. officials meet with Tsai during her stopover in Los Angeles and threatened retaliation if they do.
Tsai’s Visit Highlights Taiwan’s Fragile Status and Growing Tensions Between the US and China
Tsai’s visit comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China, including disagreements over trade, security, human rights, technology, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Her presence also highlights Taiwan’s increasingly fragile status in the international community.
China has established diplomatic ties with Honduras and had a historic visit from Tsai’s predecessor which could lead to a more aggressive response to Tsai’s US travel. Ma Yingjeou, Tsai’s predecessor has been visiting China, promoting cross-strait student exchanges and making offerings to his ancestors.
Taiwan has very few formal diplomatic allies as China puts pressure on countries to cut official ties with Taiwan. The US must continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, but should do so steadily and quietly without provocative rhetoric as tough talk from US leaders could provoke China into action, which could be counterproductive.
US-China Relations Already Strained Due to Multiple Issues
US-China relations are already strained due to multiple issues, including China’s militarization of the South China Sea, trade imbalances, and accusations of intellectual property theft. The status of Taiwan is a sensitive issue between the two countries.
Beijing has sent military fighter jets near or over the island of Taiwan almost daily, seeing official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island’s decades-old de facto independence permanent. U.S. officials are worried about China attempting to bring Taiwan under its control.
President Tsai’s Trip Shows Commitment to Democratic Values and Engagement with the World
President Tsai Ing-wen left Taiwan on a tour of the island’s diplomatic allies in the Americas to demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to democratic values on the world stage. Her trip aims to show that external pressure will not obstruct Taiwan’s resolution to engage with the world.
Her itinerary includes a brief stop in New York on March 30th followed by visits to Guatemala and Belize. During her stop in New York she is expected to meet with American Institute of Taiwan chair Laura Rosenberger.
US-China Tensions Continue as China Blames US for Boosting Relations with Tsai
China blames the U.S. for boosting relations with Tsai and emboldening Taiwan independence forces. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which has governed U.S. relations with the island, does not require Washington to step in militarily if China invades but makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has resources to defend itself and prevent any unilateral change of status by Beijing.
Tensions between the US and China have spiked over multiple issues, including Chinese spy balloons shot down by the US and US intelligence findings that China is considering sending arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Conclusion
China’s threats against U.S. officials meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ingwen highlights the fragility of Taiwan’s status in both the international community and in its relations with China. As tensions between the US and China continue to rise due to multiple issues, it is important for both sides to find a peaceful resolution to their disagreements over Taiwan as well as other issues. Both the US and China should work towards maintaining stability in the region through peaceful means.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
