The Shangri-la Dialogue has now wrapped up (and everything is rather distractingly being wrapped up around me).
North Korea was the dominant issue for the first couple of days, although what was perhaps most interesting for me was the way the intractable nature of the Taiwan issue was brought home again in Robert Gates' speech. Because listening to what both sides had to say, it's clear that there's no way of happily resolving this (happily meaning keeping everyone at least a little happy anyway).
Ultimately, the US position isn't logical. I personally have no problem with the inconsistency of the US (and Gates again here in Singapore) claiming it doesn't back Taiwanese independence, yet selling it arms. But that owes more to my personal view of Taiwan's situation than it does to any logic on the side of the United States.
If China sees Taiwan as part of the People's Republic (which it does) and if the US doesn't want Taiwan to declare independence (which it says it doesn't) then on what basis does it sell arms? I'll probably end up with some disgruntled readers for using this analogy, but would the US welcome Chinese arms being shipped in to the Puerto Rican independence movement? There are, of course, a host of historic differences and I'm aware of that. But I believe the basic principle stands.
As I say, I support the US policy of selling arms to Taiwan because of my views on Taiwan's quite independent identity. But if my reasoning were based on official US logic, I'd be on shaky ground. And so it's really no wonder the Chinese are frustrated with the situation.
That said, cutting off military ties with the US as it has done, even if only temporarily, is like cutting its nose off to spite its face...
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bruce hill
Why should you be in the least surprised. The USA, who doesn’t even understand the word “hypocracy”, illegally sold arms to Iran to help finance a clandestine war in Nicaragua – with the total backing of the President. Why wouldn’t they sell arms to Taiwan if there was a ‘buck ‘in it or to anyone else for that matter. It is what drives their economy.
Michael Fabian
I may be stating the obvious but I think its extremely difficult to simply associate any policy position on Taiwan with logic alone, there are too many competing factors – politicians who still believe Taiwan represents a bastion of democracy; interest groups placing enormous pressure on members of congress; vocal right wing media commentators; think tanks; and competing agendas within the executive. Some writers even suggest an attempt to shift policy could be perceived as anti-American – a fear arguably more persuasive than the ideology of American Exceptionalism itself.
Steve Marsden
The issue is trade with the PRC, which will not accept anyone’s trade unless they accept the ‘One China’ policy. My suspicion is that, without this, the US leadership would openly back Taiwanese independence, but pursuit of money is more important than principle. Thus they are left in an illogical position, openly saying there is one China whilst helping Taiwan to maintain its de facto independence.
BTW – I am not making a judgement one way or another on Independence for Taiwan, just saying what I believe to be the truth in this case.
The fact is that the US and China are just following what they believe to be their national interests – this tends to result in the tying of logic into knots. And I am not saying that I believe either to be right. They both have good and bad (sometimes both at the same time !)
Michael
The West uses Taiwan as a strategic too against China, nothing more! The Taiwanese government and media has been completely infiltrated by Western agent proxies!
Skylar
The comparison between Puerto Rico and Taiwan is illogical. If Puerto Rico were to vote for and declare independence tomorrow, the USA would throw it a party. If Taiwan were to vote for and declare independence tomorrow, the PRC would attack.
Guest
IMHO Taiwan should be used as a hedge against Chinese adventurism. If China plays nice, they win Taiwan. If they play nasty, they lose it. What Taiwan wants is completely irrelevant to me.