US should not be baited into breaking its word

In one of the joint communiqu��s that underpins relations between the United States and China, the two countries state their agreement that Washington can only maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan. It is this recognition that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the US' upholding of the one-China principle that have served as the foundation for ties since diplomatic relations were established in 1979.

Which is why China is "strongly dissatisfied" and "resolutely opposes" the Taiwan Travel Act being approved by the US Senate, as the act breaks this agreement by encouraging exchange visits by US officials and their "Taiwan counterparts".

All that is needed now for it to become law is the signature of US President Donald Trump. And it may be tempting for him to give his endorsement, as he may consider it a means of extracting trade concessions from Beijing in his country's favor. But unless he is ready to see the by and large stable and so-far profitable relationship derailed, unless he is determined to plunge his country into a pointless, mutually damaging altercation, or worse, he should resist the seducement. Instead, he should try his best to preserve the generally fine momentum of bilateral interaction as well as the goodwill he has accumulated with the Chinese leadership.