OPINION:
China, in recent days, has flown dozens of aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, smack into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in what some commenters are characterizing as the largest show of military aggression by Beijing toward the sovereign state in years.
This isn’t a surprise.
Every time a Democrat takes over the commander-in-chief position, the free world is set on edge. It’s good times for tyranny; bad times for liberty.
Taiwan, in fact, has been in nail-biting mode since hearing of President Biden’s win and former President Donald Trump’s loss in November 2020.
“Taiwan feared Biden would be softer than Trump on China,” NBC News wrote in a partial headline in mid-March.
The story opened this way: “When Donald Trump lost re-election in November, there was one place far from his ‘Make America Great Again’ rallies that also felt the loss keenly: Taiwan. Many Taiwanese favored Trump because of his administration’s hard-line stance against China and support for Taiwan … Many feared President Joe Biden would forget them as he sought to mend Washington’s relations with Beijing.”
The other hand of the NBC headline was comforting, as it read that “so far,” Taiwan “has been pleasantly surprised” by the level of Biden commitment toward preserving the sovereignty of the Taiwanese people.
But that was March.
Now it’s October.
After a short hiatus — a brief getting-to-know-Joe period — China has kicked into military aggression gear.
Beijing has been flying military sorties near Taiwan since the beginning of Biden’s administration. But this latest incursion of 38 military aircraft is the largest show of China air power into Taiwan’s ADIZ yet, The Hill reported.
“The United States is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations and undermines regional peace and stability,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price. “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan.”
What a nice, carefully worded, kindly worded diplomatic finger-shake at China.
If Trump were in charge, the message would’ve included a bit harsher language — like “stop it, or else —“ and then would have been followed by a list of threats, vows and punitive actions that America would take if China continued its aggressions.
More to truth, China wouldn’t even have launched so many aircraft into Taiwan’s zone in the first place. That’s the subtle power of a strong leader; just the presence of strength serves as both warning and protection.
Biden brings a different message.
“Since the beginning of the year,” The Hill wrote, “China has continuously flown military aircrafts into Taiwanese airspace as part of its ramped-up efforts to strengthen its territorial claim over the island.”
What a coincidence.
Since the beginning of the year, Biden has been in the White House.
In June, the BBC reported, Beijing launched 28 military jets into the ADIZ — “the largest incursion reported by Taiwan to date.” That was after a Jan. 24 launch of 15 Chinese craft into Taiwan’s ADIZ, and an April 12 launch of 25 jets.
Friday’s 38 was a new high.
But Biden disapproves.
The Biden administration is making clear — it disapproves.
“We have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Price also said. “We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability, and we will maintain our commitments as outlined in the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.”
How wonderful.
Team Biden assures.
Taiwan trembles.
China has no respect for America’s strength — because frankly, under Biden’s leadership, America has zero foreign policy strength. The world, just a few months into Biden’s White House tenure, has decidedly become a shakier, less safe and secure place.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Socialists Don’t Sleep: Christians Must Rise Or America Will Fall,” is available by clicking HERE.
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