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UK press (Times) report: US sends stealth bombers to counter Chinese threat

UK newspaper The Times with the info on US military assets deployed

  • Three American B-2 stealth bombers have arrived in the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia on the eve of Chinese live-firing naval exercises north of Taiwan.
  • It is the first time the nuclear-capable strategic bombers have been sent to the remote island since 2016, in an indication of the growing concern about China’s intentions towards Taiwan.
  • The bombers flew across the Pacific from Whiteman air force base in Missouri to land at Diego Garcia, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. With their advanced stealth technology, the B-2s can penetrate enemy territory without alerting air-defence radars.
Link is here, Times (may be gated)
Seems rather a long way away:
UK newspaper The Times with the info on US military assets deployed
Taiwan escalation would be likely risk negative. This seems a bit of a small step. Let’s hope it goes no further (probably a forlorn hope).

China reaffirms that US’ TikTok ban has nothing to do with national security

Comments by the Chinese foreign ministry

US China
  • Beijing has been ‘consistent’ on trade deal
  • Declines to comment on further trade specifics
  • Says position on US sanctions is clear and consistent
  • Says US sanctions are irrational, groundless
  • Reiterates opposition towards ties between US and Taiwan
There’s nothing really new here as this has been China’s stance all along but it does reaffirm expectations that both sides have a lot more than just the Phase One trade deal to discuss if they were to meet later this week.

China repeats that it will take strong countermeasures as it opposes US-Taiwan meeting

US health secretary, Alex Azar, will travel to Taiwan this month

US China
The trip will mark the highest-level visit by a US official to Taiwan since 1979 and marks a further break from convention in US-China ties in general.
China has come out to voice their displeasure over the situation and have now said that they will be taking firm countermeasures in response.
As much as this looks to be another point of escalation in tensions between the US and China, it still isn’t leading to any material breakdown in the relationship as both countries are still willing to play their respective parts in this whole “show”.

 

From what we have seen with these “strong countermeasures” and “tit-for-tat” response by both sides recently, it has all been child’s play and there is no reason to believe that this time around it will be any different.