Harvard political scientist: “The way to a Sino-US war is the Taiwan issue”

Will there soon be a war between the US and China? Taiwan, the island republic off the coast of China, is an important location for the production of microchips for Western markets and aspires to independence. But Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province. In mid-October, Chinese head of state Xi Jinping threatened to bring Taiwan back under Beijing’s control by force of arms. US President Joe Biden recently reaffirmed the US commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of war.

Taiwan’s declaration of independence is “a red line” for Xi Jinping

In this context, Graham Allison, professor of political science at the renowned Harvard University, warns that a declaration of Taiwan independence is “a red line” for Xi Jinping. Allison: “I fear that American policy may go in the direction of recognition, that is, beyond the Chinese red line.” “Stupid” the trip to Taiwan of the outgoing president of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, at the beginning of August . Ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, Allison fears that other US politicians may behave even more “stupidly” towards China. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State under Donald Trump, who is said to have ambitions for the presidency, has already called for the US to recognize Taiwan’s independence. “It’s the fastest route to war with China,” Allison told Stern