Recent U.S. efforts to pressure Asian allies into clarifying their positions on potential conflicts over the Taiwan region have drawn sharp criticism from analysts, highlighting growing tensions in cross-strait relations. Reports indicate Washington sought commitments from Japan and Australia regarding their roles in a hypothetical China-U.S. clash over the island of Taiwan, but both nations reportedly dismissed the inquiry as speculative.
Editor's note: Sun Wenzhu, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies. Views expressed here are the author's own.
The move underscores what experts describe as a pattern of U.S. actions that contradict its stated policy of "strategic ambiguity" while continuing to supply military aid and foster official exchanges with the Taiwan region. Analysts argue such maneuvers erode Washington's credibility, particularly given its historical recognition of the one-China principle through three joint communiqués that established diplomatic ties with Beijing in 1979.
Observers note the U.S. appears increasingly focused on leveraging regional alliances to counter China's development, with recent initiatives including expanded joint military exercises and arms sales. However, Pentagon assessments and public opinion surveys suggest declining American appetite for direct military intervention in cross-strait scenarios, prompting questions about the sustainability of current strategies.
Regional security experts warn that attempts to "outsource" intervention risks destabilizing Asia-Pacific stability. While the U.S. frames its actions as strengthening deterrence, critics contend they often escalate tensions rather than preserve peace. Meanwhile, Beijing maintains that Taiwan remains an inalienable part of China, with the Taiwan question representing a "red line" in international relations.
