China’s military drills could be a prelude to something much worse in Taiwan – The Telegraph

Washington also may have misunderstood how best to engage with Taiwan. Showing support could backfire rather than inhibiting China, it could embolden it.

They think that by signalling US commitment, that somehow enhances deterrence, said Oriana Skylar Mastro, an expert on the Chinese military at Stanford University. But China [already] assumes the US will intervene; what China is worried about is actual US capability to defend Taiwan.

The other side of the coin, however, is who else could stand up to China if not the US. Beijings threats made it difficult, if not impossible, for Ms Pelosi to cancel and risk looking weak.

The jury is out even for Taiwans 23 million residents some favour independence; others seek closer ties to the mainland. So hotly contested is the issue that politicians win or lose elections based on how they campaign on cross-strait relations.

Most, though, favour a fuzzy status quo lack of clarity allows them to go about their daily lives and ignore the elephant in the room.

Seriously, weve been threatened for 70 years already, said Ian Ciou, a professor of industrial design.

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China's military drills could be a prelude to something much worse in Taiwan - The Telegraph