On October 1st, 2021, China’s national day, China had over 24 fighter jets, bombers, and warplanes fly in formation over Taiwan. This was a show of their military strength and stability with which they planned. This upset many people in Taiwan and in the United States, as both have significant connections to the US. 

Tensions have been rising between Taiwan and China for decades, as China has become more Communist and strives for unity. Taiwan is a clear threat to their unity, and they know it. This is because Taiwan declared their independence from China many years ago, after being battled back and forth during the two world wars. In declaring their independence, Taiwan announced themselves to be a capitalist state, going against China’s communist party. Because of the COVID pandemic, everything had stopped for a while. And now, as the pandemic restrictions are loosening and there is an upward trend in global health, China has been ramping up again. With their name constantly in the press about new government rules and their growing military strength, they are showing the world their capability for greatness and their power to achieve it. They see Taiwan as a threat to that greatness, especially with their connection to the United States.

These tensions are scaring American officials, as even the smallest of conflicts between the two countries could prove to be a detriment to the US. We rely heavily on imports from both Taiwan and China for our everyday comforts and necessities, and if this conflict rises any more, it could mean profound implications for the US. As Evan Medeiors, a former member of President Obama’s National Security Council, said, “The Taiwan issue has ceased to be a sort of narrow, boutique issue, and it’s become a central theater — if not the central drama — in U.S.-China strategic competition.” 

The Taiwan-China conflict affects millions of people and could potentially cause harm to them. It is probable in the near future that this issue will be addressed, as it directly affects regional peace.