The Intelligence from The Economist Strait shooting? The growing peril to Taiwan
May 4, 2021
Join David Rennie, the Beijing bureau chief for The Economist, and Claire McHugh, a writer for the same publication, as they delve into Taiwan's escalating tensions with China. They discuss the unraveling of 'strategic ambiguity' and the implications for global politics. Rennie emphasizes Taiwan's semiconductor industry amid China's military posturing. McHugh shifts focus to the rise of zoonotic diseases, linking environmental changes to health risks and highlighting the pressing need for sustainable practices. A quirky look at canine communication rounds out the conversation.
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Taiwan-China Tensions
- China's increasing military actions around Taiwan raise concerns about potential invasion.
- Taiwan's foreign minister pledged to defend the island, while China insists on the 'one China' principle.
China's Military Posturing
- China's increased military presence near Taiwan, including commissioning warships, is seen as saber-rattling.
- This activity may be a test of the Biden administration and a display of China's growing military might.
Testing the US
- China's actions are partly driven by a perception of declining American democracy and a need to test the Biden administration.
- They aim to project strength and resolve in the face of what they see as American weakness.