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Strategic Vision vol. 10, no. 48 (February, 2021)
Hindsight 2020
Over the past year, Beijing leaders have turned up the heat in Taiwan Strait Shao-cheng Sun
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ross strait relations have become extremely tense in 2020. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) blamed Taiwan for having a one-sided policy and becoming too close to the administration of US President Donald Trump, with Beijing lashing out over the prospect of high-ranking US officials being allowed to visit Taiwan and meet with Republic of China (ROC) leaders. The Trump administration also approved several advanced weapons sales to Taiwan. China responded to these highprofile visits and arms sales by threatening military
action. According to the PRC Foreign Ministry, these activities have encouraged Taiwan independence, and China will make the necessary response. Taiwan is being threatened with invasion by voices within the Chinese state-run media, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced it would defeat Taiwan independence at all cost. Since 2020, the PLA has been flexing its military muscle more frequently by flying aircraft and sending warships close to Taiwan proper. In September, PLA aircraft repeatedly breached the median line in the Taiwan Strait.
photo: NASA A photograph of the Taiwan Strait taken during the Gemini X mission in 1966 shows Taiwan’s proximity to China.
Dr. Shao-cheng Sun is an assistant professor at The Citadel specializing in China’s security, East Asian affairs, and cross-strait relations. He can be reached for comment at ssun@citadel.edu