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Letters | Beijing shouldn’t be goaded by Washington into war over Taiwan
- Readers discuss who would benefit from war across the Taiwan Strait, Biden’s debate performance, and European leadership
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US President Joe Biden has said he does not rule out the possibility of using the military to defend Taiwan if the People’s Liberation Army attempts reunification by force. While the United States claims to be committed to preserving the status quo on Taiwan, Washington is fuelling the island’s polarisation by fostering a close relationship with the newly elected pro-independence government and quietly arming Taiwan.
This in turn is forcing a tougher response from China, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the area. Is the US deliberately ramping up the pressure? Is the US seeking war? How would the US benefit from a war over Taiwan?
Washington has long used proxy wars against its rivals. It supported Iraq to cripple Iran during the 80s. It used the mujahideen against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, hastening the USSR’s demise.
Even the Chinese civil war was a proxy war in which the communists were supported by the Soviets and the nationalists by the Americans.
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Beijing attempting reunification with Taiwan by force would be a perfect excuse for the US to weaken China and isolate it from the rest of the world, much like what has been done to Russia.
Looking at gross domestic product per capita, China remains a developing country. The US still has an absolute advantage over China in terms of economic, military and global influence at the moment.
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