Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is beginning his reign by condemning the One China policy and calling upon Beijing to allow the nation to be an independent democracy. A “glorious era of Taiwan’s democracy has arrived,” the president stated in his inaugural address, adding that Taiwan is an “important link [in a] global chain of democracies.”
Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a strong proponent for sovereignty and is rallying up patriotism among his citizens. While most of the nation’s 23 million citizens agree, threatening the One China policy will come at a cost. Taiwan could never defeat China without help, which they are already openly receiving from the West.
“Taiwan independence is a dead end,” the Chinese Communist Party said in a statement. “Regardless of the pretext or the banner under which it is pursued, the push for Taiwan independence is destined to fail,” declared China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Beijing has called Lai a “troublemaker” and has threatened to prosecute him for his statements. China is warning the West not to interfere, yet the West has already begun sending Taiwan military aid. China’s Commerce Ministry recently issued sanctions against the US for selling arms to Taiwan in what they believe is a threatening act.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen was cautious when dealing with China. The new president can speak out against China in a more profound manner because he knows he has the support of the West, with the neocons eager to wage yet another war. Taiwan has ramped up defense spending to $20 billion; the West has begun propaganda campaigns citing that China, akin to Russia and Ukraine, will continue nation-building if their grip on Taiwan is not loosened.
“So long as China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, all of us in Taiwan ought to understand, that even if we accept the entirety of China’s position and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not simply disappear,” Lai said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he looks forward to working with President Lai “across Taiwan’s political spectrum to advance our shared interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” China has called this message dangerous, and President Xi is aiming for a “reunification” with Taiwan to promote the “natural rejuvenation” of China.
The drums of war, especially an escalation of tensions with China, have been booming since the May 7 turning point. China will not act unless provoked, and the West is beginning to chip away at China’s patience by siding with Taiwan over a matter that can only end through warfare.
