US rash to toy with idea of playing 'Taiwan card'

In another sign that the United States is trying to ratchet up pressure on Beijing from all fronts, the US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 414-0 for a non-binding resolution reaffirming Washington's so-called commitment to Taiwan.

It also passed, by unanimous voice vote, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019, promising regular arms sales to Taiwan and pledging support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

The act may come up for a vote in the Senate and, if passed, must be signed by the president before it becomes law. While that may not be certain, the blatant move to interfere in China's internal affairs suggests how readily some in the US are trying to push Sino-US relations onto a downward spiral, even though that means the interests of both countries would be severely hurt. The move, which came just two days before the latest trade talks between the world's two largest economies were due to start, cannot but raise worries over how Sino-US relations will develop in the days to come.