NEWS BRIEF
Taiwan’s top China policymaker, Chiu Chui-cheng, warned in Washington that Beijing is “actively preparing for war” to seize the island and that such a move would trigger a regional “domino effect” threatening U.S. security and prosperity. Speaking at the Heritage Foundation, he tied China’s push for unification to President Xi’s “China Dream” of global leadership, while China reiterated it would take “all necessary measures” to defend its sovereignty.
WHAT HAPPENED
- Chiu was talking to the Heritage Foundation and emphasized that China would unite by any means necessary and would drive the U.S. out of the Asia-Pacific as a component of the Xi Jinping China Dream.
- He cautioned that the defeat of Taiwan would disrupt the balance of power in the region and threaten the prosperity of the U.S.
- The embassy of China in Washington reiterated its position, and declared its intention to work towards peaceful reunification, and to do anything possible to stop independence and foreign intervention.
- The remarks followed as U.S. and allied war vessels made a new Taiwan Strait passage which Beijing condemned.
WHY IT MATTERS
- Taiwan is the center of the U.S.-China conflict, its stability will directly affect the credibility of the U.S. in Asia and the trust of its allies such as Japan and the Philippines.
- The island’s semiconductor industry makes it a global economic chokepoint that would be crippled by any disruption because the high-tech supply chains will be brought to a halt globally.
- Chui’s rare U.S. visit underscores the push to rally American support amid escalating Chinese military assertiveness.
- The parallel show of force by China’s newest aircraft carrier signal’s Beijing’s increased ability to project power beyond its shores.
IMPLICATIONS
- Escalating flashpoint: Increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan raises the risk of a miscalculation with the U.S. and allied forces.
- Policy shift in the U.S. Washington can be under pressure to shift to a clearer security guarantee of Taiwan.
- Economic impact: A conflict would cause disruptions in international trade routes and chip supplies, with ripple effects for industries from defense to consumer electronics.
- Strategic balance: A Chinese takeover would weaken U.S. influence in Asia-Pacific and embolden Beijing in other territorial disputes
This briefing is based on information from Reuters.
