Read our editorial on the growing reactionization of the US here.
The ultra-reactionary Trump administration announced mid-December that it has approved a record $11.1 billion weapons sale to the lackey island of Taiwan. In response, the Chinese social-imperialist military unfolded one of its largest and most advanced military exercises.
The unprecedented military package to Taiwan which includes HIMARS rocket launchers, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, and parts for other military equipment, comes under the pretense of the island’s self-defense from a potential invasion carried out by Chinese social-imperialism. This is the second increased military package issued to Taiwan by the current administration, which requires the approval of Congress. The US ruling class has offered bipartisan support to Taiwan consistently.
The corresponding military exercise of Chinese social-imperialism conducted on December 29th emulated a naval blockade of Taiwan’s main ports. Using live ammunition, the coordinated forces of the Chinese air force, navy, and coast guard simulated assault on maritime targets. The live fire drills lasted for ten hours.
According to Chinese military spokesman Shi Yi, “the exercise is a persistent warning against Taiwan’s separatist forces and the interference of external forces.” Taiwan has been militarily occupied by the lackeys of US imperialism since the victory of the Chinese revolution in 1949.
The exercise comes after announcements by Japanese imperialism of an increased military budget in coordination with US imperialism. In November, the prime minister of Japan declared that the aims of China to reunify the island constituted a threat to Japan and that Japan “must be prepared for the worst possible scenario.” Last week Japan approved a record $58 billion military budget.
The great Chinese revolution of 1949 defeated Japanese imperialism and also overcame the so-called nationalist forces aligned with US imperialism. The revolution was led by Chairman Mao Zedong, the greatest proletarian revolutionary of his time. After the victory of the Chinese people, led by their Communist Party, many of the old ruling class fled the mainland for Taiwan, especially the Kuomintang led by the reactionary Chiang Kai-shek backed by the military support of US imperialism. The reactionaries took over the island, robbing the masses there and setting up a military fascist rule lasting into the 1980s.
Today, Taiwan still serves as a fort for US imperialism, and it has the added strategic importance of producing 90% of the world’s microchips. Microchips are necessary to advancing the military technology of the imperialists, and the majority of US imperialist technology relies on Taiwan. The monopolies Apple, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, and Tesla all produce their microchips on the island. The insecurity of this scenario has prompted the US imperialists to not only boost domestic production by passing the CHIPS and Science Act, but also grossly inflating the military spending on Taiwan.
Advanced technology such as the F-15 fighters as well as missile defense systems sold and used by the US imperialists around the world rely on Taiwan’s chips. Monopolies like TMSC control production of chips designed by US firms which can withstand extreme heat and radiation.
Photo: Chinese submarine. Credit: Took-ranch on Wikipedia
The Worker is an entirely volunteer-run revolutionary newspaper free from and radically antagonistic to corporate influence. We rely on the support of our readers to sustain our editorial line in service of the working class and the reconstitution of its party, the Communist Party. Make a one-time or recurring donation to our newspaper today:
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
