Opinion | Stop pushing the lie that mainland China is on the brink of war with Taiwan

It is disturbing to observe mainstream media outlets, primarily in the US, sowing suspicion in people’s minds that mainland China is on a war footing and preparations are under way to attack Taiwan. Such coverage heightens political tensions and increases public fears of imminent military conflict. These news reports appear regularly, and I am repeatedly contacted by concerned friends in the US and elsewhere, worried at the prospect of war between the mainland and Taiwan.

Ratcheting up such a false narrative is undoubtedly designed to undermine China. Some believe it is also a political tactic to influence factions within the American electorate as the 2024 presidential race gathers momentum.

Hong Kong is, unfortunately, in the firing line by default, and as a result, many businesses are suffering collateral damage. Investors are becoming increasingly nervous due to the relentless media narrative driven by those in the system with a vested interest in weakening China. We are seeing some investors being forced to withdraw from Hong Kong or the mainland to mitigate against the potential risk of conflict and, of course, the ever-present spectre of sanctions.

The US government’s official position regarding Taiwan, declared in 1978 by president Jimmy Carter in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, is that it “recognises the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China”.

It also “acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China”. Of course, as in any society, some disagree with the government’s position. Still, that official position remains unchanged despite the rhetoric and posturing.