Washington reneges on Taiwan pledges

Photo taken on July 21, 2019 from Xiangshan Mountain shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Southeast China's Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua]

How far is Washington willing to push the envelope on the question of Taiwan? This is not just a grave concern for China, since Taiwan is an integral part of its territory. The answer is also of great consequence for the entire world as it will have a direct bearing on China-US relations, the world's most important bilateral relationship, which in turn will influence the development of the world situation in almost all aspects.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 that the US House of Representatives passed on Friday is therefore a disappointment to China and worrying for the world, as it contains a considerable part dedicated to promoting ties between Taiwan and the United States, including advocating the renaming of the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" as the "Taiwan Representative Office in the United States".

It also requires the US to assist Taiwan in developing its asymmetrical defense capabilities and help it engage with the world through "meaningful participation" in international organizations such as the World Health Organization as well as shore up technology and trade cooperation between the two sides.

If Washington really puts what the bill requires into practice, it will be a far cry from the pledges it made in the three communiques that are the basis for China-US relations. In these it pledged that it would abide by the one-China principle and stop any form of official dealings with Taiwan.

What is even more worrisome is the fact that US President Joe Biden welcomed the passage of the act in a statement, describing it as a critical vote for the country to outcompete China and the rest of the world in the 21st century. "America can't afford to wait," he stressed.

However, he and other US politicians need to bear in mind that the US will have to pay a price if it reneges on the pledges it made in the three joint communiques.

Washington should be clear about the redline that Beijing has drawn on the Taiwan question, as Beijing has made no bones about the Taiwan question and asserted that it will never tolerate any interference in its internal affairs and go to any length to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China has not changed its stance and will do everything it can to seek peaceful reunification of the island with the motherland, but will never promise to give up the use of military force if necessary.

The US will certainly bear the blame if that worst-possible scenario occurs.