The Great Power Competition: The strategic rivalry between the US and China deepens

The great power competition between the US and China took another step forward last week.

In the US on Friday, President Donald Trump signed a new defense spending bill that targets Chinese companies, increases security ties with Taiwan, and calls for reports on Chinese military developments in the Arctic region. Meanwhile, a series of events across the South China Sea pushed back against efforts by Beijing to expand its power and influence.

In step with legislation to strengthen defense ties, the US and Taiwan also agreed to the creation of an F-16 maintenance center, months after Washington sold 66 of the fighter jets to the island state. The announcement came at the same time that Beijing commenced its first home-made aircraft carrier, the Shandong, which state media said would be used for operations in the highly contested South China Sea.

The Shandong is the second aircraft carrier in China’s navy. While an upgrade from its Soviet-era predecessor, the Liaoning, it still lags behind the technical capabilities of US aircraft carriers. Nonetheless, it bolsters China’s air and sea capabilities, allowing it to project military power further abroad.

And while China celebrated its latest aircraft carrier, its most vocal neighbor, Vietnam, called for it to use restraint in the region next year. Relations between the countries worsened this year after a Chinese oil survey vessel remained in Vietnamese waters for months, a move that Vietnam viewed as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to the entire region. It was the latest in a series of other similar actions taken by Beijing that critics describe as a trend of sovereignty violation.

In Taiwan, upcoming elections have raised fears of Chinese interference. Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, is seeking reelection against her opponent from the Kuomintang party, which favors closer ties with Beijing. Since taking office in 2016, Beijing has worried that Tsai will seek formal independence. However, Tsai already views Taiwan as being independent.

Collectively, last week’s events moved the regional competition for power and influence forward. By enacting the defense bill into law, the US reinforced its commitment to protecting allies and partners. China, meanwhile, expanded its ability to protect and pursue its own interests through the addition of a second aircraft carrier. Both developments promise to complicate a competition that is by all signs still just beginning.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

US defense bill deepens competition with China

From the creation of Space Force to the militarization of the Arctic, the 1,976 page defense spending bill outlines the next chapter of America’s military strategy. On China, it calls for several new measures that will deepen the countries’ strategic competition.

US and Taiwan security ties strengthen

In addition to the defense bill, which requires the US to increase military support to Taiwan, Washington and Taipei also agreed to construct an F-16 maintenance center. The agreement follows a series of arms deals made during the Trump presidency that has strengthened the countries' defense relations.

China commissions second aircraft carrier

China commissioned its first domestically built aircraft carrier on Tuesday. It is the second carrier in its navy and an upgrade from its Soviet-era predecessor that China purchased from Ukraine in 1998. While not as advanced as US carriers, it nonetheless bolsters China’s sea and air capabilities.

Taiwan fears Chinese election interference

As elections approach, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has voiced concerns that China is attempting to spread fake news and disinformation in an attempt to divide voters and undermine the country’s democracy. The Kuomintang, the opposition party which favors closer ties with Beijing, rebuked the accusations while China called them “fake news”.