China’s Global Times issued a strong warning to the U.S. and the government in Taiwan that China is close to a red line regarding the provocations against Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, and are willing to use force to unify the country if it escalates further. [https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1228873.shtml]
“The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities not only reject reunification, but hold on to the wild ambition of seeking `independence,’” the editorial states, “and the U.S. also has the intention of containing China’s rise by playing the `Taiwan card.’ Thus, both the U.S. and Taiwan island feel strategic anxiety that the mainland may ultimately solve the Taiwan question by force.”
They are correct to feel that anxiety, the editorial continues: “The mainland has strategic dominance in the Taiwan Straits. It can deploy overwhelming military capability if needed, and has the firm will to use this strength in a showdown over the Taiwan question. The U.S. and Taiwan are trying to create an illusion that a democratic Taiwan won’t accept unification in any form and that the U.S. is open to using its military prowess to defend the island. Sending a U.S. Air Force cargo plane is edging near to the bottom line of the mainland.”
