Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-canadian-warships-sailed-through-taiwan-strait-last-week-2021-10-17/
From October 1 to October 4, the People’s Republic of China has sent over 150 aircraft into Taiwanese airspace. To some in the international community, this is seen as an increased risk of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In response to China claiming Taiwan as its own territory, military threats, and increased worry in Taipei, the United States and Canada both jointly acted in hopes to quell nerves in the South China Sea.
On October 14 and October 15, the USS Dewey and HMCS Winnipeg sailed through the Taiwan Strait to, “[demonstrate] the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” In response to the joint US and Canadian demonstration the Chinese military, “stood guard” and denounced the act saying it was an act to provoke trouble in the region. On October 17, three more Chinese aircraft entered Taiwan’s airspace.
Even though China has increased tensions with Taiwan, it is very unlikely that China invades Taiwan in the near future. This is because the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Japan would all possibly move to defend Taiwan. Also, if an invasion of Taiwan was completed United States intelligence agencies would work covertly to help Taiwanese rebel groups and weaken the Chinese-Taipei government. Also, this shows how the South China Sea can be seen as a spot with increasing United States involvement. The South China sea is an extremely tense area with expansive China and a rogue North Korea surrounded by United States allies. Therefore, the United States wants to ensure peace in the region.
This highlights United States’ realist international philosophy. The main goal of every country in a realist perspective is security and safety for one’s nation through economic hegemony. To remain the number one economic superpower the United States can not let China expand its territory because it will become more wealthy. However, the United States also can not fully support Taiwan because of its trading ties to China. Therefore, the United States needs to both protect Taiwan but also not anger China.