– China criticized the U.S. for approving both a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visits to Hawaii and Guam, which Lai conducted as a stopover visit for three nights on the way to islands in the South Pacific. China urged the U.S. to exercise “utmost caution” regarding Taiwan after President Lai Ching-te’s visit. Beijing condemned the visit as provocative, warning of potential military drills, while reaffirming its opposition to any support for Taiwan independence.
– President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of ‘China hawks’ and Taiwan supporters like Sen. Marco Rubio to key roles indicates to some observers continued strong ties with Taiwan in his second administration, keeping tensions in the Indo-Pacific high.
– A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane flying over the Taiwan Strait on November 26 was tracked by Chinese naval and air forces, escalating tensions over Taiwan. While China condemned the flight as a threat to regional stability, the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, asserting its operations comply with international law.
– House lawmakers were briefed on potential war scenarios involving China over Taiwan, highlighting Beijing’s military advancements and the United States’ need for immediate preparedness. A think tank study involving 25 rounds of war games suggests that a U.S.-Taiwan-Japan alliance could repel an invasion, but at a high cost, underscoring the urgency of ramping up munitions and deepening regional alliances.