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Stephen Ndegwa
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The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S. /Xinhua
Editor’s note: Stephen Ndegwa, a special commentator for CGTN, is the executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based communications development think tank. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
The United States, with its National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, continues to pursue a confrontational stance against China, reflecting a troubling commitment to hegemony over cooperation. Framed as a safeguard for U.S. security, the legislation is rife with provisions aimed at undermining China’s sovereignty and suppressing its economic and technological rise. Nowhere are these interferences more evident, or more dangerous, than in Washington’s escalating involvement in China’s Taiwan region.
Taiwan has become a geopolitical chess piece in the United States strategy to counter China, but the costs of this approach are mounting. Despite publicly affirming its commitment to the one-China principle, Washington routinely undermines it through provocative military and political actions. The NDAA’s inclusion of increased arms sales and defense collaborations with the island is not just a symbolic gesture; it represents a direct challenge to China’s sovereignty and an intentional aggravation of a sensitive issue that Beijing has long identified as a red line.
These actions are cloaked in the language of defending democracy, but the reality is far more cynical. U.S. support for the Taiwan region is less about preserving democratic values and more about leveraging the island as a strategic buffer against China’s influence in the Asia Pacific. By transforming Taiwan into a heavily armed outpost, Washington is not protecting peace. Rather, it is setting the stage for potential conflict, one that would have catastrophic implications for the region and beyond.
The interference is further exacerbated by high-profile political visits and statements from U.S. officials, which embolden pro-independence factions in Taiwan. This destabilizes the delicate status quo, forcing Beijing into a defensive posture and heightening tensions. For the U.S., this serves as a convenient pretext to justify increased military spending and deeper entrenchment in Asia. However, for the people of Taiwan, it creates a precarious situation where their future is increasingly dictated by foreign powers, not their own choices.
The U.S.’s meddling in Taiwan also undermines decades of diplomatic progress. By selectively disregarding prior understandings, the U.S. risks unraveling years of stability, pushing the region closer to conflict. China’s consistent position on Taiwan as an internal matter reflects its broader commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. Yet Washington, under the guise of safeguarding freedom, dismisses this as illegitimate, further eroding the trust necessary for any meaningful dialogue.
Beyond Taiwan, the NDAA’s provisions targeting China reveal a broader pattern of interference that seeks to curb China’s rise on multiple fronts. Restrictions on trade, sanctions on technology and measures to isolate China diplomatically are not policies of competition; they constitute acts of containment. This strategy stems from a Cold War-era mindset that sees the world as a battleground for dominance rather than a shared space for cooperation. By framing China’s development as a threat, the U.S. is not only misreading the global mood but also jeopardizing the very stability it claims to uphold.
China’s response to these provocations has been measured but firm. Its calls for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence highlight a willingness to engage constructively, even as the U.S. doubles down on antagonism. By urging the U.S. to abandon its ideological biases and respect China’s red lines, Beijing is advocating for a global order that prioritizes dialogue over discord. The Taiwan question, in particular, could serve as a model for de-escalation if handled with sensitivity and mutual understanding. Yet the U.S. appears intent on using it as a flashpoint, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of provocation and retaliation.
The White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. /Xinhua
The consequences of this approach extend far beyond the China-U.S. relationship. By escalating tensions over Taiwan, the U.S. risks pulling other nations into a conflict that no one can afford. Regional players in Asia are increasingly wary of being caught in the crossfire of a great power rivalry and smaller nations face mounting pressure to take sides. This undermines the broader vision of a multipolar world where nations cooperate as equals.
The U.S. fixation on Taiwan as a tool to counter China also raises questions about its broader strategy. Is Washington truly committed to peace and stability, or is it simply trying to maintain its waning influence by creating flashpoints that justify its continued military presence in Asia? The answer becomes clearer with every act of interference: the U.S. sees the island not as a partner, but as a means to an end, a disposable asset in its larger campaign to contain China.
The world is moving toward a more interconnected future, but the U.S. remains mired in outdated notions of hegemony. Its actions in Taiwan and beyond reflect a superpower unwilling to adapt. This refusal to embrace a changing global order is not only shortsighted but also deeply destabilizing.
If the U.S. truly seeks global stability, it must rethink its approach to Taiwan and its broader relationship with China. The current trajectory, marked by confrontation, provocation and interference, leads only to further division and potential catastrophe. The U.S. must abandon its Cold War mentality and recognize that cooperation, not conflict, represents the path forward in a world that increasingly demands shared leadership and mutual respect.
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)
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