With Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestinian conflict escalating, skeptics are looking for opportunities to stir up trouble by claiming that the US is so busy putting out fires that it would abandon Taiwan if China were to attack. This claim could not be further from the truth, because the US is not overly concerned about Ukraine or Israel. Washington’s strategic focus remains unchanged, and that is to safeguard Taiwan. This is most apparent after a recent meeting between the UK and Japan, two of the US’ closest allies.
At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa, Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly, and British Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps met on the sidelines on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. The nations issued a joint statement afterward, urging a “peaceful resolution” of the issues between Taiwan and China, and calling peace in the Taiwan Strait “indispensable” to world security and prosperity.
Since World War I, the UK has lost its prominence as “the empire on which the sun never sets.” After World War II, it handed the global superpower crown to the US. As the UK had received assistance from the US in both wars — along with their shared roots, history and language — the UK has become the US’ closest ally, whether it was in the Gulf War, the war on terror or other US endeavors. London has remained in lockstep with Washington on many issues.
When the UK was the most powerful nation on Earth, Japan was the geostrategic point to push back against Russia in Asia, but then it went down the wrong path and fell into ruin after WWII. After being rebuilt by the US, Japan recovered from the ashes of war and threw itself into the democratic camp. By doing so, it has carried on its past mantle of being the strategic point in Asia for restraining the Soviet Union (later Russia) and China since the Cold War.
The UK and Japan’s joint statement in support of safeguarding Taiwan is especially significant. The nations’ reiteration of their stance also backs up the US’ efforts to send the message that regardless of Russia’s war in Ukraine or the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Washington has always been focused on the Indo-Pacific region with the goal of keeping China in check. After all, Russia is a spent force, while Hamas could easily be crushed. The biggest threat is China.
Aside from the bilateral dialogue, the UK’s and Japan’s recent moves have echoed this stance, such as beginning a real-time data-sharing scheme among the US, Japan and South Korea to deter North Korea’s missile launches. The collaboration has united northeast Asia, and has lulled a pro-China South Korea back into the democratic camp when it was under former South Korean president Moon Jae-in’s governance.
Furthermore, the US and Japan welcomed the Philippines to participate in naval drills with the US, Japan and Australia, and recaptured the nation into its democratic camp that was once wavering under former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.
As the overall defense network in the Indo-Pacific region strengthens, Taiwan’s status in the international community grows. With the US in the lead, and the UK and Canada as its backup in the West, while Japan, India and Australia keep watch on the East, as well as the recent changeover of South Korea and the Philippines, it should be clear which side Taiwan should be on. The current global trend favors Taipei, and what is left for Taiwan to do is demonstrate its strong will to safeguard itself.
Tommy Lin is chairman of the Formosa Republican Association.
Translated by Rita Wang
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