China and US are going to be at loggerheads due to rising differences over Taiwan’s status. Burgeoning tensions between the island and the mainland are ringing a bell of stressed relations between China and the US. In a changing world order when global power is shifting from the West to the East, the push and pull between the US and China are all leading to the Thucydides Trap, which is a term popularised by American Political Scientist Graham Allison in his book Destined for War, America, China and Thucydides’ Trap relates to a situation where a rising power, for instance, China challenges the incumbent (say the US).
Conflicts are heightening the dangers of war between China and the US. They may turn Taiwan into a new battleground for a power struggle. The Taiwanese president has condemned China’s approach for undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty and attack on democracy. On the other hand, Beijing has elevated both political as well as military pressure on Taipei. The US moves in this regard are certainly not ignorable, despite having evident warnings of drastic measures by China, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visits to Taiwan are considered the manifestation of imminent war in this region.
Undoubtedly, the impact of another hotspot amid the ongoing Russo-Ukraine war is to add fuel to injury around the globe.
There should be a bilateral dialogue between Taiwan and China. China should consider replacing its “One China Policy”, with the “One China Two Systems Policy” to save the region from imminent war and ensure peace and stability because any Chinese attempt to annex Taiwan forcefully will aggravate and worsen the situation which creates an irreparable loss for both of them.
SYEDA HADIA BAKHTAWAR,
Nankana Sahib.