The US House speaker’s visit to Taiwan shattered the trust between China and the US, but Beijing has avoided falling into the trap of a long drawn out war. The PLA’s drills show a complete air and sea blockade of Taiwan is possible, while Beijing could also consider using economic weapons against US pressure.
The Chinese government has persevered with the ‘dynamic zero-Covid’ policy with full awareness of Shanghai’s role in both the Chinese and world economy to prevent a further economic downturn. Meanwhile, efforts are under way to develop Hainan and contribute to economic integration in Asia and beyond.
Pompeo and Yang stuck to their countries’ positions on key strategic issues at last week’s meeting, initiated by the US and described as constructive. Whatever was said, there was just one objective for Pompeo’s overture – to improve Trump’s re-election chances.
The Chinese veneration for their ancestors is the basis for a deep-seated cultural abhorrence for a divided family or country, and any attempt at division will earn the Chinese people’s ire.