America’s dominance in Asia could reach an all time low if China’s communist party succeeded in furhter undermining Taiwan’s independence and autonomy. Official White House sources have confirmed last week that the Obama administration will not be providing Taipei with the 66 new F16C/D fighter jets it has been asking for since 2006. Instead the US will focus it’s attention on fixing Tawain’s older F16’s and improving their radar guidance systems.

This American u-turn seems to fall in line with US Vice-President Joe Bidden’s visit to China. However, in building a stronger allegiance with the Asian super power, the United States is turning it’s back on the longstanding commitment to Taiwan’s autonomy. Some observers have deemed this to be a foolish move by the US government. Taiwan existing as a separate state is important as it separates China from Japanese waters. It has long been known that China wishes to expand in that direction.

Should China attempt to expand in this region the political, economic and global implications would be unpredictable. China competes with the United States in terms of fire power and the risk of a second cold war with both sides threatening to engage in nuclear attacks would be very great indeed. The global economic stability would falter and the chances of a new global conflict would increase. Given this nightmare view of events, the US decision to weaken it’s position on Taiwanese independence seems very risky. A free Taiwan seems to be the only thing holding back the Chinese tide.