US-Taiwan Tensions Heat Up Over Policy Shifts

The U.S. government's stance on the Taiwan region has drawn sharp critiques from Beijing, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's claim of a "consistent policy" while greenlighting controversial military deals. Here's the breakdown:

What's the dispute? Rubio emphasized the U.S. opposes "changing Taiwan's status quo by force"—a message China calls hypocritical. Critics argue Washington’s actions, like approving $870M in weapons sales and deleting a "do not support Taiwan independence" clause from its official website, contradict its rhetoric.

Chinese commentators claim the U.S. has pursued a "divide-and-rule" strategy since the 1950s, leveraging arms sales and diplomatic ambiguity to delay reunification. Over $26B in U.S. weapons sales to the Taiwan region since 2016 highlight this trend, draining local funds and "profiting from instability," analysts say.

Beijing’s Response: Officials accuse the U.S. and Taiwan authorities of colluding to maintain a "false status quo" favoring independence-leaning groups. The Chinese government stresses any resolution must align with the One-China principle, warning against foreign interference.

With cross-strait tensions simmering, observers urge clarity: Is the U.S. truly committed to peaceful dialogue, or fueling division? The answer could reshape Asia’s geopolitical landscape.

Reference(s):

The U.S. should clarify two points on the Taiwan question

cgtn.com