Tim Culpan
China flew a significant force of bombers and fighters near the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, one of the largest in an escalation of nerves over several months but more important as a test of President Joe Biden’s administration. The new team didn’t give Beijing a free pass.The State Department quickly issued a press release about the Chinese military maneuver, stressing regional alliances and rock-solid support for Taipei. This is less routine than it looks after four years in which Donald Trump’s cadre of China hawks showed unprecedented support for Taiwan, and the question arose whether the Biden team would feel compelled to keep pace. While Biden is likely to approach policy differently, the response reflects what will probably be a more bedrock bipartisan support steadier than the whims of the prior president. Earlier this month, I wrote that Trump’s “incessant desire to keep needling Beijing, for domestic political distraction, elevated Taiwan’s status.” The concern here in Taipei, and one shared by many who keep an eye on the trilateral Taiwan-China-U.S. relationship, is that Trump was merely using Taiwan as a cudgel in a broader fight over everything from trade to viral outbreaks. Taipei had to wonder if the new level of attention would end with his last day in office.
The State Department’s words were careful and low on rhetoric, yet more powerful because of it. Significantly, the diplomatic and economic pressure that Beijing applies were singled out as well as the military activity. The Taiwan issue was placed in the broader context of U.S. regional interests, hinting at more multilateralism following an administration that was erratic on alliances and international organizations. That will be welcome to traditional U.S. allies from Japan to Southeast Asia. Beijing responded Monday with its default plea for Washington to “properly and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.”
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