Advertisement
Can Beijing and Washington shield their planned state visits from Taiwan tensions?
Analysts say stable Sino-US relationship is a priority, even in aftermath of PLA live-fire drills triggered by Washington’s record arms sale
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
6
Tensions over the Taiwan Strait are likely to persist in 2026, but analysts expect Washington and Beijing to manage risks to ensure that reciprocal state visits planned for the new year are not derailed.
Beijing launched massive live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday, less than a fortnight after Washington announced its largest-ever arms sale to the self-ruled island.
The People’s Liberation Army said the drills served as a warning to “independence forces” and against external interference. Last Friday, in response to Washington’s US$11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan, Beijing imposed sanctions against 20 US defence firms and 10 industry executives.
Advertisement
The arms sale has added uncertainty to bilateral relations and US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing in April.
However, on Monday, Trump downplayed concerns, describing Beijing’s latest military exercises as routine activities “for 20, 25 years” and citing his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x