China's aggressive push for control over Taiwan has been quietly gathering momentum, with the country increasingly relying on "coercion" and "pressure" rather than outright force. The key to Beijing's strategy lies in its ability to isolate Taiwan economically and diplomatically, rendering it increasingly vulnerable to a "green light" from China.
According to analysts, Chinese leader Xi Jinping's preferred approach is one of "encompassing coercion," designed to gradually squeeze Taiwan until it surrenders or capitulates. This "anaconda strategy" aims to create the perception that Beijing's power is overwhelming, while also fostering doubts in the US about intervening on behalf of its traditional ally.
However, it appears that China's efforts are being hampered by what can only be described as a lack of intelligence from Washington. The recent phone call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has left many wondering whether the US president will prioritize a major trade deal with Beijing over his historic commitments to Taiwan.
The Taiwanese government has long warned about the dangers of China's aggressive tactics, but its concerns have fallen on deaf ears in some quarters. The country's President Lai Ching-te recently stated that the situation is becoming increasingly dire, warning that browbeaten Taiwanese citizens may simply give up rather than fight back against Beijing's pressure.
But the issue goes beyond Taiwan's immediate fate. China's relentless expansionism has far-reaching implications for global stability, with many experts warning of a looming "war" between Beijing and Taipei, as well as Washington. And yet, the US seems woefully unprepared to counter what can only be described as an aggressive strategy by one of its key allies.
In recent years, China has been steadily building up its military presence in the Taiwan Strait, while also deploying advanced cyber-warfare capabilities aimed at undermining Taipei's defenses. But Beijing's tactics have been somewhat undermined by its own internal divisions and ideological inconsistencies.
Perhaps most worrying is the impact of Trump's " flip-flopping" on US policy towards China. Having initially waded into trade tensions with Beijing, the president has since appeared to abandon his initial stance, instead gushing gratitude for an invitation to visit Xi Jinping in Beijing next April. The implications are clear: the US may be seen as willing to sacrifice its commitments to Taiwan in favor of a "big, beautiful" trade deal.
As experts warn, China's actions will only continue to escalate unless Washington takes a firm stance against Beijing's aggression. History has repeatedly shown that compromising with aggression only leads to conflict and enslavement. The question is whether the US can still be persuaded to learn from history before it's too late.
According to analysts, Chinese leader Xi Jinping's preferred approach is one of "encompassing coercion," designed to gradually squeeze Taiwan until it surrenders or capitulates. This "anaconda strategy" aims to create the perception that Beijing's power is overwhelming, while also fostering doubts in the US about intervening on behalf of its traditional ally.
However, it appears that China's efforts are being hampered by what can only be described as a lack of intelligence from Washington. The recent phone call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has left many wondering whether the US president will prioritize a major trade deal with Beijing over his historic commitments to Taiwan.
The Taiwanese government has long warned about the dangers of China's aggressive tactics, but its concerns have fallen on deaf ears in some quarters. The country's President Lai Ching-te recently stated that the situation is becoming increasingly dire, warning that browbeaten Taiwanese citizens may simply give up rather than fight back against Beijing's pressure.
But the issue goes beyond Taiwan's immediate fate. China's relentless expansionism has far-reaching implications for global stability, with many experts warning of a looming "war" between Beijing and Taipei, as well as Washington. And yet, the US seems woefully unprepared to counter what can only be described as an aggressive strategy by one of its key allies.
In recent years, China has been steadily building up its military presence in the Taiwan Strait, while also deploying advanced cyber-warfare capabilities aimed at undermining Taipei's defenses. But Beijing's tactics have been somewhat undermined by its own internal divisions and ideological inconsistencies.
Perhaps most worrying is the impact of Trump's " flip-flopping" on US policy towards China. Having initially waded into trade tensions with Beijing, the president has since appeared to abandon his initial stance, instead gushing gratitude for an invitation to visit Xi Jinping in Beijing next April. The implications are clear: the US may be seen as willing to sacrifice its commitments to Taiwan in favor of a "big, beautiful" trade deal.
As experts warn, China's actions will only continue to escalate unless Washington takes a firm stance against Beijing's aggression. History has repeatedly shown that compromising with aggression only leads to conflict and enslavement. The question is whether the US can still be persuaded to learn from history before it's too late.