Proposed US Act outrageous risk creator

In recent years, China hawks in Washington have racked their brains to challenge the bottom line of China-US relations on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns, including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. The Strategic Competition Act of 2021 is the culmination of those efforts.

A bipartisan package, approved by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, sets the stage for further confrontation with China.

The Act, which will now be considered by the 100 members of the Senate, mentions Taiwan more than 50 times, and includes the proposal that the United States should conduct regular arms sales to Taiwan, support its participation in international organizations and even grant its administration status equal to that of a foreign government.

Such a stance is a blatant violation and breach of the one-China policy and the three joint communiqués that form the foundation for bilateral relations. It also runs counter to the political commitments the US administration has made to China on the Taiwan question.

The current US administration is fully aware of this and has said that there has been no change in the US position.

Yet though it may take some time before the act is signed into law, Washington’s desire to counter China seems to be insatiable as it has become one of a few bipartisan consensuses in the divided US Congress.

Hence, the US administration needs to bear in mind that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that this is a red line that it should not let itself be pushed across. China has both the resolve and the capability to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to thwart any interference in its internal affairs by any force.

China has repeatedly said it will realize reunification of Taiwan with the mainland through peaceful means, but it does not rule out force should the need arise.

By continually sending the wrong signal to Taiwan’s pro-independence forces, the US is playing with fire as China will never allow any forces to challenge its territorial integrity and core interests.

While US lawmakers seem to regard the Competition Act of 2021 as presenting the means to destabilize and contain China, in reality it is nothing but a blueprint for disaster.

The bill is full of the US’ persistent Cold War mentality, which is a growing threat to peace and stability in the region. Being the world’s sole superpower with a well-established alliance system, it seeks to provoke hostilities, or fabricate the risk of offensive actions by another party, so that it can leverage these advantages.

US lawmakers should recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and stop playing brinkmanship.