Thoughts on Taiwan
The visit to Taiwan by the American Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has resulted in an (I loved this phrase from the Financial Express ) “overdrive of fire and brimstone” from China. That China considers Taiwan a breakaway province is well known. That the US considers Taiwan a quasi-independent entity that should not be forcibly occupied by China is equally well known. What then was the purpose of Pelosi’s visit? That’s a question for which I’ve not heard any clear answer. When China protested and ranted as Pelosi’s visit approached, did the US find itself in a position where to back down from the visit would mean a loss of face, a signal to China of change in the power equation? Was the US forced to go through with the visit then? But once Pelosi landed and left, the Chinese government found itself in a problem – it left them red-faced that she’d ignored their protests. Worse, so did a lot of Chinese citizens, who poured scorn on their country’s leadership for...