To say that tensions between Beijing and Washington over the China Sea and Taiwan are growing would be a real understatement, as the two protagonists are multiplying the actions intended to show their respective intransigence, as well as their determination to go as far as possible, if necessary. 'to armed conflict. And the visit of the US Secretary of Health, Alex Azar, to Taipei, strongly participated in increasing this dangerous spiral, provoking a very vehement reaction from Beijing.
Announced at the end of last week without official confirmation, the "surprise" visit of the American Secretary of Health, Alex Azar, to the island of Taiwan, indeed constitutes a gesture of great symbolic significance, both for Washington, for the independent island since 1947, as for the Chinese authorities, who have increased the demonstrations of force to try to get the United States to withdraw from what they consider to be “an internal affair”. Indeed, Beijing has always considered the island of Taiwan not as an independent state, but like a secessionist island, and has never hidden his ambition to bring it back into the national fold. But since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, the discourse, previously based on a subtle mixture of international pressure and flexible demands, has quickly radicalized to give way to the threat of armed intervention to resume by force, if necessary, the secessionist bastion.
The rest of this article is for subscribers only
The Classic subscriptions provide access to
all articles without advertising, starting at € 1,99.
Newsletter subscription
Register for the Meta-Defense Newsletter to receive the
latest fashion articles daily or weekly