I’m back from vacation—

and just in time for China

to make a threatening military action

against Taiwan!

Hi, welcome to China Uncensored.

I’m your relaxed and tan host Chris Chappell.

You know what I like about Taiwan?

Well, it’s like the parallel dimension China

that has democracy

and didn’t destroy their traditional culture.

And they have anthropomorphized food mascots

that serve you smaller versions of themselves.

Adorable and creepy at the same time.

The mascot, I mean.

Oh, and Taiwan's government officials know how to play it cool.

I want to emphasize our government has sufficient capability

to protect our national security.

It's not necessary to overly panic.

Not overly panic?

What’s there to not-overly panic about?

Military jets and navy ships

scrambled off the coast of Taiwan on Wednesday.

The latest sign of heightened tensions across the water

as a group of Chinese warships

sailed too close for comfort.

Ah, Chinese warships sailing close to Taiwan.

That...might be cause for panic.

Especially since the Chinese military reportedly has 1,600 missiles

pointed at Taiwan at all times.

Anyway, on Wednesday,

the Chinese military sailed its only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning,

through Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone.

If only it had been a Sea Defense Zone as well.

Even though the Liaoning did not enter Taiwan’s actual territorial waters,

it was enough for the Taiwan military to scramble F-16 fighter jets

and other aircraft,

in a move that absolutely was not panicking.

That makes the third time in just three days

China has caused another country to “not panic.”

Earlier this week,

China sent eight warplanes over the waters

between Japan and South Korea.

And over the weekend,

China sent a nuclear-capable bomber plane over disputed waters

in the South China Sea,

where some say World War III could start.

But hey, why is everyone getting so upset?

I mean, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry,

this is totally normal.

It is normal for the Liaoning to go back and forth

through the Taiwan Strait in the course of training,

and it won't have any impact on cross-Strait relations.

And he has a point.

Sending warships close to a country/region

you’ve repeatedly said you plan to conquer

is totally normal.

Which is why they tried it once before in 2013.

And it was totally normal back then too.

It's so incredibly reassuring

when you keep emphasizing how normal something is.

Like when I used to wake up to find my roommate Carl

standing over me with a knife.

Sure, it was scary at first.

But then Carl explained how it was a totally normal

part of his sleepwalking.

Made me feel so much better.

Anyway, the Liaoning was normally passing through

the Taiwan strait

on its way back from training drills

that it had started in the region on December 24,

Christmas Eve.

Of course it didn't have to sail through Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone.

So was China trying to send a message to Taiwan?

Well, they may have actually been sending it

to the Donald Trump administration.

Frankly,

I would suggest maybe using

diplomatic channels next time.

Like having state-run media send him a tweet.

At the end of last year,

Trump enraged the Chinese regime

by calling into question the One China Policy.

That’s where everyone agrees there’s one China,

without having to specify whether it’s the Communist Party-run

China in the mainland,

or the democratically-run one in Taiwan.

Chinese state-run media even vowed revenge.

And earlier this week, Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen

visited the US and met with Texas Senator Ted Cruz

and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Presumably,

they talked about all the things Taiwan and Texas

have in common.

Like a deep-seated love of barbecue

and fried food on sticks.

And also how they both want to split off

and be their own countries.

All this is making the the Chinese regime pretty angry,

since the US isn’t supposed to have official diplomatic relations

with Taiwan.

Because Taiwan is part of China.

Even though America has vowed to protect this part of China

from the other part of China.

Like by selling them weapons.

Well, the new year is off to a good start.

Happy year of the rooster, everyone!

So what do you think about China sending its aircraft carrier

near Taiwan?

And how do you think the US should respond?

Leave your thoughtful policy analysis below.

Thanks for watching this episode of China Uncensored.

And if you like this show,

please support me and the team on Patreon.

Once again I’m Chris Chappell,

see you next time.