US President Joe Biden has confirmed he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to abide by the “Taiwan agreement”
The President of the United States appeared to be referring to America’s longstanding “one China” policy, where it recognises China rather than Taiwan.
But – the agreement further allows the United States to maintain a “robust unofficial” relationship with Tawian.
The announcement follows escalating tensions between Taiwan and Beijing
Beijing has sent “record numbers” of military jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone for four consecutive days.
Reports suggest the military action could be done as a way warning Taiwan’s president ahead of the island’s national day.
Taiwan has its own constitution, military, and democratically elected leaders, and considers itself a sovereign state
Beijing however, views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve unification with the island.
The “One China” policy, which both President Biden and President Xi are believed to have referred to, is a key cornerstone of Sino-US relations.
The policy however is distinct from the One China principle, whereby China insists Taiwan is an inalienable part of one China to be reunified one day.
“I’ve spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree we’ll abide by the Taiwan agreement,”
– President Biden.
FILE PHOTO: Soldiers march to position during an anti-invasion drill on the beach during the annual Han Kuang military drill in Tainan, Taiwan, September 14, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang
“We made it clear that I don’t think he should be doing anything other than abiding by the agreement.
– President Biden
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s defence minister confirmed that military tensions with China were at its worst in more than 40 years.
The minister stated that the communist nation has the capability of mounting a “full-scale” invasion of Taiwan by 2025.
Tensions are escalating between China and Taiwan.
“By 2025, China will bring the cost and attrition to its lowest. It has the capacity now, but it will not start a war easily, having to take many other things into consideration,”
Taiwan’s defence minister said.
Analysts watching China closely have previously warned that Beijing is becoming increasingly concerned that Taiwan’s government is moving the island towards a formal declaration of independence and wants to deter its President Tsai Ing-wen from taking any steps in that direction.
The latest warning comes even as a Taiwanese parliamentary committee undertakes a review of a special military spending budget of T$240bn ($8.6bn; £6.32bn) over the next few years that will mostly go towards naval weapons used by Taiwan forces.
The US has continued to sell weapons to Taiwan as part of Washington’s Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the United States must assist Taiwan defend itself.
In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.
The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.
Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.
Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.
Proliferation Risks
Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.
Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.