The United States and China are engaged in a battle of sorts, a standoff that has stretched over decades and shows no signs of abating anytime soon. The current flashpoint is in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, where Chinese military forces have been increasingly aggressive in their interactions with American naval and air forces. Beijing has pushed back against US attempts to restore military communications between the countries, and Washington has responded with warnings of its own.
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The conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan and the South China Sea is not just a matter of military brinksmanship; it is also a test of diplomatic skill and political will. Unlike the Cold War, where the two superpowers were separated by ideology and geography, the US and China share many common interests, such as economic growth and global stability. At the same time, they have fundamental differences in worldview, such as democracy versus communism, and strategic interests, such as access to natural resources and strategic chokepoints.
The Biden administration has inherited a difficult foreign policy challenge, namely how to confront China’s assertiveness without triggering a full-blown conflict or undermining global cooperation. The administration has taken a nuanced approach, combining diplomacy, economic pressure, and military deterrence to signal both resolve and restraint. The aim is to deter China from miscalculating while avoiding escalation.
One of the key elements of US strategy is to work with allies and partners to form a united front against Chinese aggression. This means reinforcing existing alliances, such as with Japan and South Korea, and building new partnerships, such as with India and ASEAN countries. The US has also sought to engage with China on areas of common concern, such as climate change and public health, while making it clear that there will be consequences for Chinese actions that undermine regional security and stability.
Another aspect of US strategy is to invest in its own military capabilities, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater. This involves modernizing the US Navy and Air Force, expanding the use of unmanned systems, developing new technologies such as hypersonic weapons, and strengthening the resilience and agility of US forces. The US has also signaled that it will defend Taiwan against any Chinese aggression, which is a red line for Beijing.
A third element of US strategy is to compete with China in the realm of economic power. This includes measures such as trade tariffs, investment restrictions, and supply chain resilience. The US has also sought to rally other countries to adopt shared standards and norms for digital technologies, intellectual property protection, and human rights. The aim is to prevent China from dominating key industries and using economic coercion to advance its geopolitical goals.
China, for its part, has responded with a mix of bluster and defiance. It has accused the US of meddling in its internal affairs and trying to contain its rise. It has also warned of dire consequences if the US crosses certain lines, such as intervening in Taiwan or meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs. China has also sought to build its own network of alliances and partnerships, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and to expand its military capabilities, such as developing aircraft carriers and stealth fighters.
The challenge for both the US and China is to manage their rivalry in a way that avoids a catastrophic clash. This requires dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect. It also requires a recognition that neither side can impose its will on the other without risking grave consequences. The fate of Asia, and perhaps the world, rests on how the US and China navigate this complex and dangerous terrain.
Summary:
The United States and China are locked in a tense standoff over military interactions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. US officials have warned that China’s actions are dangerous and unacceptable, and have called for China to engage in military talks to avoid miscalculation. China has warned Western militaries to stay out of its waters and airspace, and has built up its own military capabilities. The US has responded with a mix of diplomacy, economic pressure, and military deterrence, and has sought to build alliances and partnerships in the region. The challenge for both countries is how to manage their rivalry without triggering a catastrophic clash.
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The United States is ready to deal with China’s “increasing level of aggression” in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea after Beijing made two “dangerous” interceptions in recent days, a senior official said on Monday. responsible.
The warning from John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, underscores growing US concern over dangerous interactions between US and Chinese forces in international air and sea lanes. It comes as Beijing has pushed back against US attempts to restore military communications between the countries.
Kirby said the interceptions were “integral” to an “increasing level of aggressiveness” by the People’s Liberation Army of China, particularly in the area around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
“We are ready to deal with it,” Kirby added, describing China’s actions in recent days as “unacceptable.”
“They happened with more frequency than we would like,” he said of the interceptions. “Not all of them are dangerous and unprofessional, but these two were.”
Kirby’s comments came after the US Navy released video on Sunday of what it described as a “dangerous interaction” in the Taiwan Strait, where a Chinese warship sailed past an American destroyer. Early last week, the Pentagon accused a Chinese fighter jet in an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” over the South China Sea.
China has warned Western militaries to stay out of the waters and airspace near its borders if they want to avoid dangerous clashes with the PLA.
Kirby said on Monday such episodes could lead to miscalculations and urged Beijing to join US efforts to restart military talks. He added that the United States operated in international territory and would continue to do so where permitted by law.
Last week, the Pentagon accused a Chinese fighter jet of an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” over the South China Sea
Two senior US officials – Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran – met with Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday as part of Washington’s efforts to step up commitments to manage the relationship between the powers.
The officials raised concerns about the interceptions and also discussed efforts to improve communications between Beijing and Washington.
“Both sides had frank and productive discussions as part of continued efforts to maintain open lines of communication and build on recent high-level diplomacy between the two countries,” the State Department said.
Bill Burns, Director of the CIA journey in China last month in an attempt to stabilize frayed diplomatic relations, the Financial Times reported last week.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration tried to reschedule a trip to Beijing that Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled after China sent a spy balloon over the United States earlier this year. Beijing has so far refused to allow the trip.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu also refused to meet US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a conference in Singapore last weekend because Washington refused to lift sanctions against him, although the two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries over dinner at the event.
In his speech at the Shangri La dialogue, Austin criticized China for the recent air incidents.
https://www.ft.com/content/e4e1ba87-b071-444d-ab71-f1dad1feba1a
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