China’s defense minister renews threats to take over Taiwan as he opens security forum

2 comments

1. Submission – China’s defense minister opened the Xiangshan security forum in Beijing by warning that Taiwan’s “return” is essential to preserving the post-war international order. That reframes it as a litmus test of legitimacy for the entire global system, not just Chinese sovereignty. This message was delivered at the Xiangshan Forum, China’s own answer to the Shangri-La Dialogue, where Beijing hosts foreign defense officials. That suggests the statement was aimed at an international audience, not only domestic consumption.

2. This is kinda funny because someone on the NYT yesterday wrote that Trump should pursue peace with China by demanding that China promise never to use force on Taiwan, in exchange for trade deals. The incapacity of viewing the Taiwan issue from the Chinese point of view is astonishing.

   But to the matter at hand, the Chinese are spooked that anti-China sentiment is on the rise in Taiwan, and Lai is much more pro-independence than his predecessors, with comments like “China is a **foreign** force.” It’s perhaps no surprise that the Chinese, in turn, use every opportunity to send their own message back to Taiwan.

Comments are closed.