The Facts
In a phone call with US Sec. of State Antony Blinken on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US must stop its "old routine of unilateral bullying," accusing it of trying to suppress Chinese development through the use of "salami slicing" tactics.
The "salami tactics" he was referring to were the small, incremental actions the US takes to achieve a much larger result, particularly regarding Taiwan, which Pres. Xi Jinping has previously said is the "first red line" that the US must not cross in US-China relations.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Wang justifiably warned Blinken to ensure the US backs off its encroachment into Chinese domestic affairs. Whether it be through the State Dept., CIA, or military, the US has long sought to secretly undermine China instead of cooperating in the open as a friendly partner. The reason for these schemes is simple: the US can't fathom a world in which it can't bully each nation into doing its bidding
Anti-China narrative
As China rapidly strengthens its military capabilities — and subsequent aggression — the US can and must use both unilateral and multilateral diplomatic and military strategies to confront what has now become the US and its regional allies' number one threat. Preemptive but cautious moves are necessary to show China a united Western front willing to defend places like Taiwan if need be.
