US military might ensures Beijing's bark is worse than its bite

The Taiwanese test case shows that Chinese desire to control disputed territory is not a barrier to peace and stability: With US military mettle exerting a constraining influence on Chinese ambitions, Beijing will wilt away from its provocative territorial threats.

In concert with its Asia-Pacific allies and partners, Washington should therefore continue to use its security presence in the Western Pacific to caution against and undercut Chinese attempts to alter the territorial status quo.

Not least because abandoning the commitment to the territorial status quo could make the prospect of more Chinese assertiveness a self-fulfilling prophecy. Land and sea acquired through brinkmanship and bullying risks encouraging Beijing to become even more territorially aggressive.

For example, if the United States and Japan allowed China to take control of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, Beijing may be emboldened to seize disputed territory from China's much weaker maritime neighbours in Southeast Asia.

Defending the territorial status quo to the point of courting war with China is obviously an unpalatable proposition for US policymakers and politicians.

Nevertheless, at least for now, using the threat of US military involvement to force China to contain its appetite for territorial aggrandisement is prudent policy.