Coming after constructive talks with China’s leader in California last week, Biden’s utterance may have been a diplomatic faux pas. But it was also the plain truth.
Tyrants like Xi believe they can simply proclaim their regimes to be democratic, says Bosco. “Biden did not sing from the same page and Beijing took offense. In the information contest that is part of Cold War II, which has been upon us for the last several years, score one for Biden and the Free World.”
“It remains to be seen whether [Biden’s] actions will follow his words or whether his staff will urge him to make some concessions to Beijing…to salve Xi’s injured pride.”
Bosco believes the biggest “favor Biden could render Xi, the Chinese people and the world” would be another candid declaration: that America will defend Taiwan.
“In contrast to the policy of strategic ambiguity and doubt, it is the only sure way to deter a strategic miscalculation by Xi that could plunge China and the U.S. into a major military conflict and bring about Biden’s nightmare scenario: World War III.”
Read the op-ed at TheHill.com.
