The Stakes in the Taiwan Strait: A Question of Double Standards and Shifting Power
The situation surrounding Taiwan is increasingly defined by a stark contrast in how the United States and China are perceived, and how their actions are interpreted.While China’s naval presence in international waters is routinely labeled “provocative” by Washington, the U.S. maintains a constant military presence near China’s shores under the guise of defensive maneuvers.This double standard reveals a deeper geopolitical struggle.
The scale of U.S. military activity in the region is meaningful. In 2024 alone, the U.S. conducted over a hundred major naval and air exercises in the South China Sea and surrounding areas, often in collaboration with allies like Australia and NATO partners. These exercises, framed as “freedom of navigation” operations, function as demonstrations of force, signaling Washington’s continued claim to military primacy in Asia.Australia’s navy actively participates in these operations, conducting joint patrols with the U.S., the U.K., and Japan several times a year, despite its geographical distance from the contested waters.
In contrast, Chinese naval activity is far less frequent. The Chinese navy may pass through international waters once or twice a year,acting entirely within its rights under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. An exmaple of this infrequent activity is the much-publicized 2025 circumnavigation.
This disparity in activity underscores the core issue: China’s growing economic and technological strength is challenging the U.S.’s long-held monopoly on global power. Rather than adapting to a multipolar world, the U.S.increasingly frames China as an existential adversary, notably concerning Taiwan. Washington’s policy includes arming Taiwan, encouraging confrontation, and increasing the concentration of military hardware in the region – not in response to an imminent Chinese invasion, but driven by a fear of losing dominance.
The U.S. views Australia as a crucial partner in maintaining this regional balance and containing China’s influence. Australia’s consistent participation in joint military exercises demonstrates its alignment with U.S.strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific.
Ultimately, a peaceful resolution requires a shift in approach. As has been stated repeatedly, the path to peace lies not through encirclement and provocation, but through diplomacy and respect for sovereignty. The United States must learn to coexist with a strong, autonomous Asia, rather than attempting to control it through perpetual militarization, especially regarding the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
