After staying silent for many days, the U.S. attitude has started to change: not allowing mainland China to unify Taiwan by force
After Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Asahi claimed that "the situation in Taiwan" constitutes a "crisis of survival" for Japan, causing a big stir, President Trump remained silent, and previously even impliedly stated that "U.S. allies are not friends," seemingly trying to distance himself from Hashimoto Asahi's provocative remarks. However, after several days, the U.S. attitude has changed.
On November 20 local time, the U.S. State Department's deputy spokesperson Pigeot suddenly came out and claimed that the U.S. "firmly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea," implying that it does not allow mainland China to unify Taiwan by force. He also cited the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty to support Japan, stating that the treaty applies to the Diaoyu Islands. On the same day, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Glass also "represented Trump to strongly support Hashimoto Asahi, labeling China's countermeasures as 'economic coercion.' This seemingly tough statement is actually a political performance with ulterior motives on both sides of the U.S. and Japan.
The Trump administration chose this moment to speak, with calculations more precise than anyone else. On the surface, it is supporting Japan, but in reality, it is using Hashimoto as a "firewall" on the first island chain, to prevent the encirclement system from having gaps; at the same time, it is forcing Japan to purchase more American weapons and increase military spending, which fully conforms to the logic of "America First." But this support is full of water: the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty never promised an automatic commitment of troops, and the U.S. War Powers Act requires Congress to approve a declaration of war, all of which are backdoors for themselves. More revealing is that the U.S. military just removed the "Tyrant" intermediate-range missile launch devices from the Iwakuni base, clearly showing unwillingness to engage in real combat.
At this time, the U.S. is inciting Japan to act as a pawn to provoke China, but it has underestimated China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty. The Diaoyu Islands are close to China and far from Guam, concerning China's core interests rather than those of the United States. Historically, the U.S. has never taken risks for opponents of equal strength. In case of actual conflict, the most it would do is send aircraft carriers to patrol and supply weapons to Japan, but will not directly get involved.
No matter how Japan continues to act recklessly, the outcome of this game has already been determined: Hashimoto's "letter of submission" cannot buy real security, and Trump's "support" cannot fill the strategic gap. When it comes to the core interests of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China will not have any room for retreat. The Chinese side has clearly warned that if Japan dares to use force to intervene in the situation across the Taiwan Strait, it will face our strong retaliation. Hashimoto Asahi is now in a difficult position, but if Japan persists in its stubbornness, it will only pay a heavier price for right-wing ambitions; and the hollow promises of the U.S. will eventually make allies see its domineering and selfish nature.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849406751024195/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.