The Biden government concluded that China “is flirting with the idea of taking control of Taiwan, as President Xi Jinping becomes more willing to take risks to increase his legacy,” reports the Financial Times.
Why does it matter: An invasion of Taiwan, the autonomous island claimed by Beijing, would force the United States to decide whether to go to war with China to defend an implicit ally.
- The Biden government’s recent conclusion is based on Chinese behavior over the past two months, a senior US official told FT.
- After a demonstration of strength by Chinese bombers off Taiwan, shortly after President Biden took office, the State Department said: “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan.”
Admiral John Aquilino, appointed to head US forces in the Pacific, warned the Senate Armed Services Committee this week that the threat to Taiwan “is much closer to us than many think,” reported CNN.
Admiral Philip Davidson, The current head of the United States’ Indo-Pacific Command, testified earlier this month that the Chinese military is developing offensive capabilities, making the threat to Taiwan “manifest during this decade – in fact, in the next six years”.