The rise of China has for decades been watched from the West with mistrust. But with Xi Jinping making belligerent moves from the South China Sea to the Indian border, tensions have been mounting. And now, with the arrival of almost routine sorties into Taiwan airspace combined with Xi's declaration to 'reunite China' by any means necessary, the threat is overt. With Biden weakened by the Afghanistan debacle, and under pressure to take a tough stance, the risk of conflict has become real and apparent.
The ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu declared 'in peace prepare for war'. Should this be Western strategy? Or are the threats overblown and preparing for war a dangerous strategy that risks an arms race and an unimaginably terrible future potential conflict?