Tensions around Taiwan have always been high, but the possibility of open conflict has increased. Here’s what U.S.-China friction over the island could mean for the future balance of power.
Beijing is flexing its military power in response to growing U.S. support for the island. Here’s what it could mean for the future of the balance of power., but the possibility of open conflict has increased with Taipei continuing to cultivate closer ties with Washington as Chinese leader Xi Jinping signals a hardened resolve to seize the island.
after a groundbreaking U.S. meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.Under President Biden, the U.S. has sent weapons, special military training units and delegations of former officials in a show of support for Ms. Tsai, whom Beijing sees as dangerously pro-independence.During his first visit to Asia as commander-in-chief in May 2022, Mr. Biden was surprisingly blunt when asked whether the U.S.
He has made similar statements on four separate occasions—provoking complaints from Beijing each time, even as White House officials have denied any change in U.S. policy.Mr. Biden’s repeated remarks apparently committing to defending Taiwan clash with Washington’s longtime practice of saying little about how the U.S. would respond to an invasion of Taiwan—a stance known as “strategic ambiguity.
Taiwan was controlled by Japan for half a century until the end of World War II, when it became a part of the Republic of China, ruled by Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang.Though the mainland was taken over by Mao Zedong’s Communist forces in China’s civil war, the island remained under Kuomintang control after the war ended in 1949.Tensions often spiked in the following decades.
. China has also begun a major expansion of its nuclear arsenal, partly to deter the U.S. from using its own nuclear weapons in a conflict over Taiwan.Defense analysts have long questioned Taiwan’s ability to resist a Chinese attack. Taiwanese soldiers and reservists have themselves expressed concerns about training and readiness.In response, Taiwan’s government established an agency to revamp reserve forces.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
War games and heightened tensions: China and Taiwan's relationship explainedChinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that he wants to strengthen his country's army for 'actual combat' following three days of military drills that surrounded Taiwan.
Read more »
Japan to develop long-range missiles as tensions with China rise | CNNJapan on Tuesday announced plans to develop and build an array of advanced long-range missiles as it bolsters its defenses amid increasing tensions with neighboring China.
Read more »
China faults 'negative impact' of US military drills for Korean Peninsula tensionsChina is blaming the 'negative impact' of military drills for tensions within the Korean Peninsula after North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Thursday.
Read more »
China says Taiwan heading for 'stormy seas' under President TsaiChina said on Wednesday that President Tsai Ing-wen was pushing Taiwan into 'stormy seas' after Beijing held military exercises in response to Tsai's recent meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
Read more »
China to close airspace north of Taiwan April 16-18, sources sayChina is planning to close the airspace north of Taiwan from April 16 to 18, four sources with knowledge of the matter said, a move that could disrupt flights around the region.
Read more »