Opinion | Pelosi’s Taiwan visit should prompt Beijing to start reunification process
- The US House speaker’s visit to Taiwan shattered the trust between China and the US, but Beijing has avoided falling into the trap of a long drawn out war
- The PLA’s drills show a complete air and sea blockade of Taiwan is possible, while Beijing could also consider using economic weapons against US pressure
But they all fell on deaf ears. When Pelosi landed in Taipei, the already shaken trust between China and the US was completely shattered because the US had unilaterally changed the status quo of Taiwan. The sobering lesson for all Chinese people from this is that we should not have any illusions about American intentions as the US has backtracked on its historical promises on Taiwan.
Beijing’s actions are not only a response to the backtracking US and a warning to “Taiwan independence” forces, but also a response to the Chinese people, many of whom feel angry and even humiliated by the de facto American support for Taiwan independence.
Pelosi’s Taiwan visit has been to many Chinese what the Pearl Harbour attack was to Americans during World War II. Before the attack, the US had been divided over Japan, a major buyer of America’s steel, copper and oil. But after the attack, the US was unified. Similarly, Beijing’s response to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit has the backing of all Chinese people, while some want more drastic action.