Can the West still deter Beijing from pulling the liberal democracy into its orbit?
In an address to the National Press Club earlier this week, Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian addressed concerns over China’s ongoing military exercises off the coast of Taiwan in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
The ambassador claimed Beijing had been “patient” for several decades, seeking peaceful unification with Taiwan, but has since been provoked by the US and its allies.
According to Xiao, the West has violated commitments to the One China policy.