Europe prepared for the conflict between China and the United States: “The worst scenarios come true”
Diplomats say things could spiral out of control
The European Union is bracing for the risk of an escalation in China-U.S. relations as tensions escalate over Taiwan after Beijing warned of “ military response if Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits the island this week.
The escalating war of words between the US and China over Taiwan “could easily escalate” and is being closely watched in European capitals, according to senior diplomats. As Politico recalls, tensions between the world's two biggest superpowers are rising as Beijing escalates its threats over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan in the coming days.
From Brussels to Paris, EU officials have been reluctant to comment on the dispute publicly, even as China approaches the risk of a military confrontation with the US. Behind the scenes, however, European diplomats acknowledge that there is a clear danger that the situation could spiral out of control.
Analysts are now urging EU leaders to pay attention and prepare for the trouble ahead.
“ Sometimes the worst-case scenarios come true, says Boris Ruge, vice-chairman of the Munich Security Conference, citing the conflict in Ukraine as an example. “Europeans should prepare for the contingency by supporting Taiwan while remaining in close contact with Beijing and helping to de-escalate.”
Nancy Pelosi announced on Sunday that she was taking a congressional delegation on a tour of Asia. Rumor has it that the shutdown in Taiwan, which prompted Beijing's fierce reaction, was not mentioned in its official timetable, it could still happen.
China insists that Pelosi's visit to Taiwan would be a flagrant violation of the “one China” policy ”, regulating the status of the territory, and a signal of American support for the independence of Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed his position last week during a tense conversation with Joe Biden. “Those who play with fire will die from it,” Xi Jinping was quoted as saying by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “There is hope that the US realizes this.” The Chinese Ministry of Defense has warned that “the Chinese military will never sit idly by” if Pelosi's trip to Taiwan goes ahead.
Analysts believe that Xi Jinping will want to show resolute calm at any sign that the US is trying to support Taiwan independence, in part because he is seeking a third term in the party and country this fall.
The UK has offered to arm Taiwan, warning that the West should not make the same mistakes of not standing up for the Taiwanese as it did with Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock recently described China's stance towards Taiwan as a “global challenge”.
In public, however, most other European capitals were more cautious in their comments. Asked about China's threats of a Chinese military response to Pelosi's visit, the French Foreign Ministry and the EU's foreign policy arm declined to comment.
An EU diplomat said silence should be expected at this stage, given that Taiwan comes first viewed as US interest, but “the reaction will be different if the words translate into action.”
Asked if NATO is worried about tensions, a senior European diplomat replied: “Not yet, but it could easily escalate.” A “worst case scenario” would divert America's attention from Ukraine to tensions with China over Taiwan, a senior diplomat said.
A third senior European diplomat said there was a risk of a clash between Washington and Beijing.
Urmas Paet, vice chairman of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, warns that the escalating conflict in Ukraine has increased the risk of Chinese action against Taiwan “exponentially.”
“The European Union should also be able to monitor China's actions, including including Taiwan,” Paet said, referring to the need for “full cooperation between the EU and the US.”
Until recently, Europe avoided talking about Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of China. The mood of the Europeans further deteriorated when China promised Russia a “borderless partnership” and actually supported the Russian special military operation.
The conflict in Ukraine has prompted European politicians to think about the previously unimaginable consequences of imposing economic sanctions against the world's second largest economy, if Beijing takes a military step against Taiwan.
“In the event of a military invasion, we have made it very clear that the EU, together with the United States and its allies, will take the same or even more serious measures than we have now taken against Russia ”, the new EU Ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, said earlier.