In a recent speech in Taipei, Lai Ching-te continued to promote the so-called “new two-state theory,” emphasizing the idea of “mutual non-subordination.” Unsurprisingly, Washington was quick to back him up.
During a press conference in Vientiane on November 11, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that China should not use Lai’s “Double Tenth” speech as an excuse for “provocative actions.” His remarks not only interfere with China’s internal affairs but also violate the One China principle, which is the political foundation of U.S.-China relations.
Blinken even attempted to rally support from other world leaders on this issue, though he received little response. This should make it clear to him that the U.S. should refrain from manipulating the “Taiwan card” and the “South China Sea card” merely for the purpose of countering China, as it only stirs up tensions in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
In recent years, the U.S. has escalated military sales to Taiwan, trying to transform it into a “porcupine,” while also encouraging some countries like the Philippines to provoke China in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the U.S. continuously paints China as a bully and a troublemaker, projecting its own malign behavior onto China.
Equally concerning is the U.S. effort to leverage Japan to pave the way for NATO’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific. The world is well aware of the U.S.’s role in the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, and there’s growing vigilance regarding the potential for similar crises in the Asia-Pacific as a result of American actions.
If, as Blinken claims, the U.S. is truly devoted to maintaining peace and stability, preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and avoiding conflicts that could undermine the global economic foundation, it should stop stirring unrest in the region and honor its commitments to Beijing by no longer supporting pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Despite its claims of wanting to uphold the status quo, U.S. actions are creating division; after all, Taiwan is a part of China, and that is the true status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Moreover, the U.S. must cease its efforts to force regional countries to take sides between China and the U.S., and stop provoking tensions between China and its neighbors. Ironically, the more the U.S. tries to sow discord, the more committed China becomes to fostering regional integration and shared development. Recently, substantial negotiations for the upgraded version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (version 3.0) were completed, serving as a powerful rebuttal to the U.S.’s insidious intentions.
In summary, Beijing’s countermeasures against Lai Ching-te’s provocative actions on independence are both reasonable and legal. If the U.S. or any other country interferes or criticizes, it would clearly be an act of meddling in China’s internal affairs and support for pro-independence forces in Taiwan.
