China sanctions Taiwan’s de facto US ambassador after president’s talks with House speaker
GuardianJUL 2023
Taiwan President Says China Too 'Overwhelmed' to Invade
Image copyright: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Entertainment [via Getty Images]
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Pres. Tsai's comments come not from arrogance but confidence in the nation's institutions, economic strength, and partnerships with powerful allies. While China makes verbal threats, Taipei is manufacturing world-leading computer chips and building military and economic cooperation with countries across the world — not to mention its growing domestic public support for democracy and deterring Beijing.
Pro-China narrative
As Taiwan's ruling party pushes the island into the arms of Washington, Beijing feels sorry for the Taiwanese people, whose tax dollars are being used to buy US weapons and thus instigate a war. US policy toward Taipei isn't one of compassion but rather of using the island as a piggy bank for its military machine. This dangerous policy will only worsen if the ruling DPP party wins again in 2024.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 28% chance that China will launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
