Taiwan: A Flashpoint between China and the USA.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were concerns in western capitals over whether China might take similar action in Taiwan. Against this backdrop, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has prompted some security scholars to predict a fourth cross-strait crisis. China will likely ensure that it punishes Taiwan enough to prevent future visits like Pelosi's. This may include economic action, limited military signaling and selective diplomatic action in bilateral and multilateral fora, and aggressive cyber repression. In response, Taiwan and the USA are likely to continue building deterrent defence capabilities to deter Chinese aggression. The US may continue to signal its increased presence and commitment to the region through freedom of shipping operations in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, while keeping lines of communication open to avoid unintended tensions with Beijing.

China and Russia believe the USA is playing the role of an arrogant player. This thinking has emerged in many parts of the world, including China. The People's Republic of China places all responsibility for the violence and destruction in Europe or Washington. Russia supports the Chinese principle and affirms that Taiwan is a part of China and opposes any form of Taiwan's independence.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shown that the world should take seriously what Xi and Putin are saying, especially when they speak in their own language. Both countries are determined to destroy the US alliance by force whenever it would be possible. Xi and Putin feel that the US alliance has been formed over their opposition and they will oppose it.

Statements by top Chinese diplomats should not be dismissed as mere propaganda. This is a clear warning to Washington to abandon its strategy in the Indo-Pacific, and Beijing reserves the option of resistance. From this point of view, Russia's invasion of Ukraine sets an example. Beijing has also warned small countries such as Ukraine to stay away from US plots.

According to Beijing, sympathy for Ukraine is good but it is not good to be used as a pawn in Washington's efforts to maintain geopolitical dominance. These messages are also being heard in those countries that remain neutral in international politics. Russia and China continue to oppose any attempt by foreign powers to undermine security and stability in their respective territories.

President Xi is using the war in Russia and Ukraine to forge a...