Australians should be worried about Taiwan, where the threat of a new great power conflict is fast rising, prompting planners in Canberra to consider the unthinkable.
The gloves are off as tensions over Taiwan escalate. From left, Xi Jinping, Tsai Ing-wen, Yoshihide Suga, Joe Biden and Scott Morrison. Illustration: David Rowe
It’s been almost 20 years to the day since Washington and Beijing found themselves ensnared in a dangerous military standoff that some feared would herald the start of a new cold war.
The trigger – which consumed the early days of George W. Bush’s presidency – was a collision between a Chinese fighter jet and a US Navy surveillance plane over the South China Sea. The Chinese pilot died and the stricken US aircraft and its 24-member crew were forced to land on Hainan Island.
Michael SmithHealth editorMichael Smith is the health editor for The Australian Financial Review. He is based in Sydney. Connect with Michael on Twitter. Email Michael at michael.smith@afr.com
Jacob GreberSenior correspondentJacob Greber writes about politics, economics and business from Canberra. He has been a Washington correspondent and economics correspondent. Connect with Jacob on Twitter. Email Jacob at jgreber@afr.com
