Tensions Heat Up Between the West and China

Senior diplomats claim the escalating verbal conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan has been closely observed in European capitals. It has the potential to get worse.

The world’s two largest powers are becoming tenser. Beijing is escalating its warnings in response to a potential trip to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the near future.

This is Terrifying

Although China is getting closer to the possibility of a military stalemate with the United States, EU officials from Brussels to Paris have been hesitant to publicly weigh in on the disagreement.

However, behind the doors, European officials acknowledge that there is a real possibility the situation may get out of hand.

Currently, analysts are advising EU leaders to pay heed and get ready for problems.

Boris Ruge, secretary of the Munich Conference Held, stated that “worst-case scenarios occasionally do come to pass,” using Russia’s incursion of Ukraine as an example.

“Europeans would do well to plan for eventualities, supporting Taiwan while staying in constant communication with Beijing, and assisting in the de-escalation.”

On Sunday, Pelosi made the announcement that she will be leading a congressional delegation to Asia. Her official schedule does not mention a reported trip to Taiwan, which prompted a vehement response from Beijing.

China maintains that Pelosi’s visit would be a flagrant violation of the “One China” policy controlling the status of the island and proof that the United States supports Taiwanese autonomy.

During a contentious phone chat with Joe Biden last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized his viewpoint. Xi was cited as stating, “Those who play with fire will die by it,” by China’s foreign ministry.

“It is hoped that the United States would view this matter objectively. If Pelosi’s travel proceeds, the Chinese defense ministry has warned that the “Chinese military would never sit quietly by.”

China on a War Footing

Analysts say because Xi is running for an unprecedented third term in power this autumn, he would want to demonstrate a forceful response to any indication the United States is advancing its support for Taiwanese independence.

The United Kingdom has advocated arming Taiwan and warned against repeating its mistakes from the Ukraine crisis by neglecting to defend Taiwanese interests.

The “self-confident and most importantly robust look of China” in connection to Taiwan, according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, has been called “a worldwide problem.”

Nevertheless, most other European cities have been more circumspect in their public remarks. The French foreign office and the body in charge of EU foreign policy declined to comment when questioned about China’s threatening military reaction to a Pelosi visit.

Given that Taiwan is predominantly seen as a U.S. interest, one EU ambassador said quietly  “the response will be different if words become actions.”

This article appeared in The Patriot Brief and has been published here with permission.

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