HINDUSTAN TIMES

APLN member Kevin Rudd argues that a more assertive China will only create further friction in the region. India, and the global community, will need to find ways to counter this change.

On August 2, Speaker of the United States (US) House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan in the first visit by a United States (US) official of her level in 25 years. Prior to the visit, Chinese officials had warned that if Pelosi did indeed visit the island, it would violate the One-China policy and lead to an escalation in the Taiwan Strait. Pelosi’s visit gave China an excuse to do exactly that: It conducted a large-scale blockade of Taiwan, simulated an attack on its offshore islands, and fired five Dongfeng missiles close to Japan – a provocative step which, significantly, did not engender a military response. A much more provocative Beijing is likely going to be the new normal going forward, especially as Beijing believes that the US is moving away from its One-China policy.

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