President Biden dispatched an unofficial delegation to Taiwan as a show of support for the independent nation, despite China’s protests. The group consists of former Senator Chris Dodd and former State Department officials Richard Armitage and James Steinberg. Shortly after their arrival, the Chinese navy announced it was commencing live-fire drills near Taiwan and, as a safety measure, cutting off shipping lanes to the island until Tuesday.
The events are the latest back-and-forth between the US and China since Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen clearly enunciated in May of last year what has been clear for decades: that Taiwan will not accept China’s offer of reunification under a “One country, two systems” form of governance. That arrangement in Hong Kong has seen the economic powerhouse of Hong Kong facing steadily more oppression and control from mainland China.
With Taiwan’s overt rejection China – which views Taiwan as part of its country and rejects claims of independence – has become more aggressive. In response, the United States has strengthened its ties. While President Trump was regularly weak on responding to human rights abuses and assaults on liberty by China, the one firm exception was in Taiwan policy. Following an effort by Taiwanese officials to send a delegation to Trump’s inauguration he cleared arms sales and sent official delegations to Taiwan, including the first visit by a sitting Cabinet Secretary in almost forty years.
In 2020, the White House and Congress cleared sales to Taiwan of wide-scale military equipment upgrades, including advanced air-to-ground missiles, missile defense systems and fighter jets. The United States has a long-standing policy of support, including the potential of direct military action, for the island nation. The choice of an unofficial delegation signals that the Biden administration is continuing the stance of supporting an independent Taiwan but that it may be open to helping facilitate negotiation with China. The live fire drill suggests that China isn’t interested in anything less than full compliance.
