A phone call is being arranged between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future. This follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s emphasis on the importance of maintaining communication between the leaders of both countries. One of the main topics of concern for the U.S. is China’s support for Russia, particularly in terms of bolstering their military capabilities. China has become a major supplier of goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, which has raised concerns in the U.S.
Recently, a Reuters report revealed that a Chinese company is providing lethal assistance to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm, IEMZ Kupol, which is developing drones for use in Ukraine. This has further strained the already tense relationship between the U.S. and China. Meanwhile, China is celebrating 75 years of Communist Party rule, with President Xi reiterating his intention to “reunite” Taiwan with mainland China, despite U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Taiwan, facing daily threats from China, has been increasing its orders for weapons from the U.S., which has only added to the tensions between Washington and Beijing. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan has joined Western allies in imposing sanctions on Moscow and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Taiwan ranks fourth among Indo-Pacific nations in terms of commitments to Ukraine, after Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Since February 2022, the Taiwanese government has provided over $110 million in aid.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified Russia, Iran, and China as the biggest threats to critical infrastructure and democratic institutions in the United States. A report published by the DHS on October 2 expressed concerns about potential interference in the upcoming presidential election.
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