The Rising Tension Between the US and China to Watch For
Reasons and causes of tension between the US and China in the Asia-Pacific
In this blog post, I’ll take a closer look at the rising tension between the US and China to watch for, as we’re all going to be affected by it sooner or later.
The Asia-Pacific region has been a hotbed of geopolitical tension for decades, but the ongoing tensions between China and the United States have reached a boiling point in recent years.
The rise of China as a global superpower has led to a shift in the balance of power in the region, with the US struggling to maintain its dominance.
Two major flashpoints in this tension are Taiwan and the Philippines. Both countries have long-standing disputes with China over their sovereignty, and both have been in the crosshairs of the US-China rivalry.
Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, has been a thorn in China’s side since its inception. Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province and has vowed to reunify the island with the mainland, using force if necessary.
However, Taiwan has an independent government and a robust democracy, making it a valuable ally of the US in the region.
The US has a long history of supporting Taiwan, dating back to the Cold War. The US has sold weapons to Taiwan and has provided diplomatic support, including acknowledging Taiwan’s sovereignty.
This support has angered China, which sees it as an encroachment on its territory.
The tensions between the two powers have escalated in recent months. China has been conducting military exercises near Taiwan, while the US has been increasing its military and diplomatic engagement with the island.
The situation has raised fears of a potential conflict between the two powers, which could drag other countries in the region into the fray.
The Philippines, meanwhile, has been embroiled in a dispute with China over the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the sea, which is a key shipping lane and is believed to hold vast reserves of oil and gas.
However, the Philippines, as well as other countries in the region, have sovereignty claims over parts of the sea.
The US has backed the Philippines in this dispute, conducting joint military exercises recently that you can read about here and providing military aid.
However, the Philippines has also been drifting somewhat closer to China, with former President Rodrigo Duterte expressing a desire for warmer relations with Beijing. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the current President of the Philippines, and the country has shifted its gears back to the side of the US.
The rise of tensions in these two flashpoints has wider implications for the Asia-Pacific region. A conflict between the US and China over Taiwan or Philippines in the South China Sea could potentially have severe economic and geopolitical consequences for the region and beyond.
China’s growing assertiveness in the region and the US efforts to maintain its influence are likely to shape the direction of the Asia-Pacific for years to come.
Which country owned the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea?
There is no clear answer to this question as both the Philippines and China claim historical ownership of the Spratly Islands.
While the Philippines has cited historical documents and evidence of their presence on the islands since the 1800s, China argues that they have been using and occupying the islands for over a thousand years.
The dispute remains unresolved and continues to be a source of tension between the two countries.
Is Taiwan ever a part of China in the past?
Taiwan has a complicated history with China. Taiwan was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples before the arrival of the Dutch in the 17th century. However, in 1683, Taiwan fell under the control of the Qing Dynasty of China, and remained a part of China for over 200 years.
In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki following China’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. Taiwan was under Japanese rule for 50 years until the end of World War II in 1945, when it was returned to China, which was then under the rule of the Republic of China (ROC).
In 1949, after a civil war in China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) declared victory and established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.
The ROC retreated to Taiwan and continued to claim to represent all of China, while the PRC claimed that Taiwan was a part of China under its governance.
Since then, Taiwan has maintained its own government, economy, and military, and is not currently under the control of the Chinese government in Beijing.
Overall, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region is a volatile one, with both China and the US vying for power and influence. The issue of Taiwan and the Philippines’ sovereignty lies at the center of this complicated equation.
In conclusion, while the tension between China and the US is not a new phenomenon, the growing animosity between the two nations has reached a tipping point in recent years.
The issue of Taiwan and the Philippines’ sovereignty has further compounded the situation, creating tension and disagreement between the two superpowers.
Definitely, there’s rising tension between the US and China to watch for!
It’s high time the concerned parties take a step back and work towards resolving the issues peacefully, both on the military and economic fronts, to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Escalating tensions could lead to unnecessary conflict and harm in the stability of the Asia-Pacific region and add to the dying peace in our world.
The situation is complex, with multiple interests and players involved, but one thing is clear — the stakes are so high, and the tension is rapidly rising.
I appreciate you reading my article. Check out my other articles below as well. As always, I’m indeed very grateful for your support of my writing gig.
You can follow me on Medium, check out my other Medium posts, and sign-up to my email here to get instant notification every time I have new posts.
Consider also becoming a Medium member here to get unlimited access to my stories and to support the other Medium writers as well. Please take care of yourself and each other. Until next time. Have a blessed day to all. Cheers!
