The chorus of opinion leaders and pundits in the United States calling for Washington’s “abandonment” of Taiwan is getting louder, a symptom of a growing, but false, perception in the U.S. that China holds the key to all of Washington’s problems. This isn’t only a dangerous misreading of Beijing’s intentions, but also reflects a lack of public understanding about Taiwan’s sovereign status.
Unification — by force if necessary — with Taiwan is a top priority for Beijing.
Yet, although relations between Taipei and Beijing have thawed in recent years under President Ma Ying-jeou’s administration, Chinese military capabilities and missile deployments across the Strait have not only increased with growing sophistication and lethality, but Beijing’s military ambitions have extended beyond the Strait.
The arguments coming from the abandon-Taiwan camp were taken to a new low by a New York Times op-ed piece last month titled “To Save Our Economy, Ditch Taiwan.” In the article, the author expresses the hope that if the U.S. were to “give up” Taiwan, Beijing would accommodate Washington’s interests — to the point that Beijing would write off $1.14 trillion of Washington’s debt and halt its support for Iran, North Korea, Syria and Pakistan.
The writer’s argument depends on his assumption that the current cross-strait “status quo” is unsustainable. In other words, Taiwan’s absorption by China is inevitable and therefore the U.S. should ditch Taiwan.
His assertion misses an important fact: Taiwan, under its existing constitutional framework, exists as an independent, sovereign state. The absence of official diplomatic relations does not negate this objective reality.
If Washington were to revoke the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. would essentially be condoning the absorption of one state by another state.
However, neither the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) nor the Democratic Progressive Party would ever subjugate the Republic of China/Taiwan to Chinese Communist Party rule.
The partisan political environment in Taipei doesn’t serve Taiwan’s national interests when political parties vilify their opponents’ position to the extreme. However, partisan bickering is a facet of every multiparty democracy. And the U.S., of all places, should understand how democracies work.
Moreover, if Beijing wants to genuinely engage in political dialogue with Taiwan, then it should do so with dignity by first accepting that it is engaging another sovereign government. This is the only way to build cross-strait political trust.
As Washington moves to re-establish its presence and develop comprehensive ties with the Asia-Pacific region, the need for clarity on Taiwan’s sovereignty will become an important factor for perceptions of the United States’ staying power in the region.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated at a House of Representatives hearing earlier this year that how the United States manages the U.S.-Taiwan relationship “will have a great impact on the way our partners view us across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Ambiguity from Washington over Taiwan’s sovereignty would only embolden Beijing’s claims.
If some are proposing the “abandonment” of Taiwan, then an equally radical solution should be on the table.
To clear any doubt about U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific and check Beijing’s wanderlust, Washington should recognize that Taiwan, under its existing constitutional framework, is an independent, sovereign state.
This would be a bold move by Washington that would help create the conditions for negotiations on equal footing and facilitate enduring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.
Russell Hsiao is a senior research fellow at the Project 2049 Institute. This article was also published in the Taipei Times.
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Mishmael
Actually the author is incorrect in stating that the “objective reality” of Taiwan’s constitution justifies its statehood. Recognition by other states is an essential pillar of statehood, otherwise every disaffected group that owns a little land can come up with a “constitution” and become a “state.”
Taiwan is also inexorably linked to China in a way that cannot be denied even if it declared independence. The culture, language, and economy of the island forms a symbiotic relationship with China’s, and it would take an unnatural, forceful effort to make the people into something else. Advocates of Taiwan’s independence are being hypocritical when they make their demands but insist on retaining their China-derived advantages: their claims in the South China Sea, their possession of a large quantity of ancient Chinese artifacts, or their economic holdings in China itself.
I believe that part of what is driving this incorrect narrative is not a genuine belief in “statehood” and its advantages, but a simple fear. The fear of being told that one is not unique, not “special,” and certainly not deserving of any extra attention whatsoever. The achievements made on Taiwan, remarkable as they are, could never compare with that of China. I fail to see how concentrating the talents and efforts of Taiwan’s people on their little island could do greater good than if they were linked to China. To me, it is bordering on selfishness to stubbornly cling to a version of statehood that doe such a great injustice to the Chinese people.
traveler
Excellent analysis and I totally subscribe to it.
bogda
only stupid people want to be linked with communism.
if the island is democratic, why would they give up on their freedom? just because china is bigger or no. 2 economy in the world? what advantages has hong kong for being part of china? should us be part of uk too?
John Chan
@bogda,
Well said, not only UK wants its New England back, France and Spain want their New France as New Mexico back too,
John Chan
Excellent analysis as well as elegantly put, and I totally subscribe to it too.
Cyrus14
A State only needs five elements to become a state:
1. Land (Taiwan Island)
2. People (Taiwanese)
3. Government (Parliament)
4. Territory (Taiwan Controlled)
5. Sovereignty (Taiwans ability to do trade and make its own decisions)
It has all the elements hence it is a State.
Major Lowen Gil Marquez, Phil Army
Thats the elements of statehood and Taiwan has its elements, the China wanted only for political and economical purpose and it is not base on democratic perception, So Taiwan must protect its territory, people and its own government, so what if US does not government will going to turn them down, Taiwan can make Allies to Israel. . .
Democracy must prevail ad Taiwan must exist. .
JohnD
Mishmael
The achievements made on Taiwan do not compare with China. I presume you are talking about modern achievements and if so, what rubbish. Human rights, education, preservation of culture and language, democracy… all much more important than GDP. And Taiwan is special, it is only 0.002% of China and Taiwan’s population, but yet as a country has achieved so much.
April May
I really am curious as to understand your claim that Taiwan’s economy, language and culture are not their own. Taiwan’s culture is very different from China’s. The two places have a very different history. Taiwan has its own native people and they have not always been a part of China. Taiwan has been shaped by Dutch Rule, Spanish Rule, Japanese Rule and several other era’s that are separate from China. Taiwan also has it’s own language, even if they use Mandarin, they use different characters in Taiwan than China. The communist party destroyed their own culture by bastardizing their own language so that they could quickly promote propaganda. As for economy, Taiwan has a fully functioning economy with their own monetary system. Taiwan’s economy is as reliant on China similar to how the United States is.
Your entire last paragraph is completely and utterly bogus. It is not hypocrisy and the desire to make themselves feel unique that cause Taiwanese people to want the title of country. There is a deep seated hatred in Taiwan towards the Chinese government for what Chiang Kai-Shek and the KMT has done. The 228 Massacre and the White Terror are unforgettable and unforgivable. Taiwan spent 38 years under strict martial law that didn’t end until July of 1987 and it was the communist party that drove Chiang Kai-Shek into Taiwan. Taiwan wants their freedom for the same reason that America wanted their freedom from Britain. Not to mention that China has no control over anything that is happening in Taiwan. Taiwan doesn’t even pay taxes to China.
Are you saying that since Taiwan a small island of 23 million people, since it has not lived up to the greatness of a country of 1.3 billion, they should just throw in the towel and give up their freedom? Then if that is the case almost every country in the world should be absorbed into China, cause who can live up to the greatness of the Great Wall, the perfection of a Ming Vase, the brilliance of Buddha,and the riches of the Chinese Economy.
Your view is completely focused on things that are of ill importance. Sometimes it isn’t about being great or powerful. Taiwan doesn’t want to be considered a country so that the world can marvel at their greatness, the simply want the world to recognize them for who they are and not as a part of a country has wronged them in the past even though that said country has no power over them.
It isn’t selfish and it isn’t an injustice to the Chinese people. The injustice happened to the people of Taiwan when China had them ousted from the United Nations. The injustice is that the world no longer acknowledges Taiwan’s independence simply because they don’t want to contend with the might of China.
Carlos Murillo
This article shows the contradictions of the foreign policy of Beijing and Washington. Both powers defend and promote the self-determination principle around of the world (for example, China impulsed the creation of state of South Sudan based in that principle). However, they don’t recognize that principle in the Taiwan case and refuse to recognize the right of Taiwanese people to be represented by an independent, sovereign government and state.
When I talk with the Taiwanese youngs in Taipei, they fell as Taiwanese, never as Chinese. In this 21st Century is impossible to refuse the right of the peoples to the independence.
John Chan
@Carlos Murillo,
USA needs to lead by example; otherwise you are a Hypocrite. Let Cubans take Florida to the independence, Hawaiians restore Hawaii to their original kingdom, American Natives take middle states to become Native Indian Confederation, and Azteks take the New Maxico to form Aztek-Mexican Federation.
Zach
The most important question in determining if a certain area should gain sovereignty is, “do the majority living in the disputed area want independence?” I think this is more important than who lived where hundreds of years ago, because while we cannot do anything for the self-determination of dead people, we can for the living.
I have never seen statistics showing that the majority of people in Florida or Hawaii wish to secede from the U.S. If you have, please share!
As for Taiwan, it seems the majority prefer the status quo, with about 1/5 favoring independence and 1/10 favoring unification. (http://esc.nccu.edu.tw/modules/tinyd2/content/tonduID.htm)
John Chan
@Zach,
Have you even seen a survey that asking people in Florida or Hawaii wanting to be independent? Particular in Hawaii, the natives are endangered species. All we know that the Yankees carried out bloody suppression to crush the independence movement in the Confederacy.
Have you ever seen a survey about the Occupying movements and American Spring movements in the USA too? Didn’t the American media call them thugs disrupting law and order?
If American has trouble to conduct such impartial survey, China can do it on USA behalf, and can show you the result as good as those results in Taiwan.
Carlos Murillo
I am from Costa Rica, and not US citizen.
I agree with Zach about the procedure to determine the validity of self-determination principle. In the Taiwan case, it is the Taiwanese people who has the right to decide if it will be a state or if they wish to be a Chinese province. But this decision of the Taiwanese people with external interference. It is a similar case of South Sudan, and in this case Beijing stimulated the validity of self-determination principle and the right of South Sudanese people to decide about its future. Including, in its most part South Sudan is a Chinese creation. Then, why Beijing doesn’t promote (without any external interference, especially from China) a referendum in Taiwan in order to determinate its status?
Taiwan is not Hong Kong or Macao; these were colonies (not independence states like Taiwan) and were transferred from the colonial power to China, without to consult to the peoples about the possibility to be a independence states.
John Chan
@Carlos Murillo,
Your idea and opinion are wrong, you came to China/Taiwan you need to learn Chinese way and abide Chinese culture. Taiwan is an integral part of China, anybody suggest any mean to pry Taiwan away from China is unwelcome, unwanted and interfering China’s internal affairs, it is a behaviour of predatory imperialism, and such aggressor will be defeated at all cost.
You can take your Costa Rican way of thinking back to Costa Rica and do it to your nation, but not to Taiwan or China.
Carlos Murillo
Mr. Chan
My opinion starts from the conversation with students in Taiwanese universities. They don’t feel to be part of China, they are part of Chinese culture.
Your idea about the language as reference to determinate what territory and people is part of other state is wrong. You need to speak Spanish if you want to live in Costa Rica, but it is the same language in Nicaragua and Panama, however these are three different countries.
The problem with the Chinese and especially the regimen of the Chinese Communist Party is that don’t want to recognize the reality: China is a country and state and Taiwan is another country and state. This is the opinion of the Taiwanese people and around 20 countries in the world who have diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.
John Chan
@Carlos Murillo,
You have started the wrong topic with the wrong people without the knowing of Chinese. Some Japanese wannabes in Taiwan do not represent the opinion of Chinese.
Costa Rican’s selfish and small nation mentality can’t tolerate each other, therefore even people speak the same language cannot stay in one nation, it is a pity and sad. This is not the way the Chinese work. Asking China to take such small nation’s mentality and approach is laughable, and you have no clue how China has become the longest continuous civilization in the world. No Chinese will agree with you and no Chinese will let Japanese wannabe to pry Taiwan away from China.
The reality is that Spanish should get out of Central America, and let the natives get their land back, this is the right thing to do.
bogda
@John Chan: Taiwan is not part of China, neither an independent country. So, the situation it’s a little bit delicate.
If Florida or Hawaii want to split from US, it’s a different story, because they are part of US now.
Taiwan is not part of China!!!!
Zach
John,
“Have you even seen a survey that asking people in Florida or Hawaii wanting to be independent?”
No, I haven’t. Do you think they want to be independent? I don’t. If any Floridians or Hawaiians are reading this, feel free to comment :)
“Particular in Hawaii, the natives are endangered species.”
Yes, ethnic Hawaiians only make up about 10% of the population. Wouldn’t that support my argument that people living in Hawaii now don’t want to secede?
“All we know that the Yankees carried out bloody suppression to crush the independence movement in the Confederacy.”
Yes, I guess that’s one way to describe the Civil War. Are you saying that because the US fought its own Civil War to stop the south from its own self determination, it is hypocritical for not wanting China and Taiwan to do the same? Well, perhaps, but I didn’t have anything to do with the Civil War. It’s unreasonable and unfair to hold me accountable for the beliefs and actions of my great great great great great grandparents. Not to mention that the reason the Confederates seceded was to continue the evil practice of slavery without interference from the north. I am glad the south lost the war, because it put an end to slavery in America.
“Have you ever seen a survey about the Occupying movements and American Spring movements in the USA too? Didn’t the American media call them thugs disrupting law and order?”
I have read a lot about the Occupy movements, including their myriad demands, but I don’t recall any of them advocating secession. And the media, I suppose, was divided–there were some who condemned them, and others who praised them. I would say the vast majority felt sympathy toward their cause. “The media” is not some monolithic block in America; there are many different people with many different viewpoints and opinions, and that’s OK :) Better than OK, it’s good!
“If American has trouble to conduct such impartial survey, China can do it on USA behalf, and can show you the result as good as those results in Taiwan.”
Now you’re just being silly.
Matthew
I am a native Floridian (and a proud US citizen). Very few people here or in any state would support independence, the only exception is Texas, where one poll said that 40% wanted independence: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/republican-party/secession-divides-texas-republ.html?wprss=thefix
Although, I am sure they would regret that as soon as they tried to leave. There is something that your comment failed to mention. The Confederate states that left the Union did so ILLEGALLY. When they ratified the Constitution or adopted statehood, they entered into a Union with the other states that was permanent, there is nothing mentioned in the Constitution about leaving the Union, as it was assumed that any state doing so was there for life. In other words, the Confederacy was an illegal rebellion against a Democratically elected Federal Government. The case of Taiwan bares no resemblance to the American Civil War and the illegal secession of the South
Yang zi
The self determination of Taiwan’s future include people on the mainland. Taiwan is a not recognized country and it’s future depends on people from both side of the strait. Nothing can change that
cucu bau
Taiwan is Taiwan and China is China. Taiwan doesn’t need mainlanders to tell them what to do with their own life and future. Taiwan is a free democracy (not a red communist brain washed nation).
Michael
Taiwan is a free democracy….As free as their Western masters will allow that is! Just as the Japanese, South koreans, as well as India!
Zach
Yeah, poor Japan and South Korea. Things have gone really terribly for them since they were enslaved by their “Western masters.”
harry
yet you call youselves the Republic of CHINA, yet in your constitution you claim all the area of PRC including outer mongolia, yet 98% of people in taiwan came from mainland China. if you want an independent taiwan then 98% of people in taiwan should get out of the island and return it to the 2% aboriginese people.
applesauce
the author worries about abandoning Taiwan that the affects that will have on everything, but if anything recognizing, formally, Taiwan as a sovereign state would cause far more problems. firstly the PRC is required to break off any diplomatic relations with any country that recognizes Taiwan officially. you think its difficult getting them to work with us now on issues such as NK and Iran, try it when you have no relations at all. secondly with the world still attempting to recover from a financial crisis and now the uncertainty with the death of kim jung il, the last thing we need is 2 of the largest economies and military to cut off communications. essentially what the author is asking is to pour a lot of gas on a small fire. the status quo should be top priority, especially when we have to focus on other things and taiwan acts as a sovereign nation in everyday except name, why risk WW3 for a name?
Cyrus14
I need agree, it would result to outright war if Taiwan is recognized as an Independent State. In all essence it is already an independent State why seek recognition and go to war?
It is illogical especially with Communist China having the upper hand in Military Might.
Leonard R.
The US has already abandoned Taiwan. Now the author wants the US to un-abandon it?
I think the US should generously allow immigration visas to the US for Taiwanese.
The US is partly responsible for the mess they find themselves in. But in the ongoing war
between the US and the PRC, Taiwan is not worth one American life.
If defending Taiwan is so important, let’s use Kaohsiung as a navy base.
Or maybe a better alternative is to write it off & invite Taiwanese who would be harmed
by a PRC takeover to immigrate to the US.
Zach
Why do you say that Taiwan is not worth one American life?
Is there any foreign country in the world that, to you, is worth an American life?
Leonard R.
@Zach: “Is there any foreign country in the world that, to you, is worth an American life?”
–
There are a few. But the nearest to Taiwan would be the Philippines. It’s worth total war.
Why do I say Taiwan isn’t worth one American life? It’s 90 miles from Fujian Province.
Most of Taiwan’s trade is with the PRC. Why protect Taiwan while it gets rich from the PRC?
The same goes for South Korea.
Zach
I am sorry, I have read your comment a few times but I am still not sure I understand your position.
What does a country’s location or trading partners have to do with its worthiness to be protected? It’s not people in Taiwan’s fault that they are so close to China, and it’s not their fault China is a good trading partner, and neither of those facts would justify a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Is not America China’s largest trading partner? Do you think America should not defend itself?? :-O
My point of view is that democracies should assist each other in times of need (e.g. self defense). Democracy, rule of law, limited government, Enlightenment ideals: any country that embraces these is an ally of mine!
SCdad07s
It is time for Russell to act on behalf of Palin and Perry to fight for their independent, sovereign state.
Hsiaso – don’t let Hawaiians down.
Jimmy NZ
The author has not addressed how it would be in the US national interest to recognise China. As some of the other respondents point out it would effectively end the US relationship with China, and to say that the US could call China’s bluff on this matter is to ignore the nationalist sentiment in mainland China. The CCP would dare not appear weak on the issue of Taiwan could be devastating to the regimes domestic stability. The US does not need to resolve its stance on Taiwan to reassure Asian allies, they have the same issues with the two Chinas.
What is more, unification may be a goal for China but it is a long term one. As Taiwan is draw further into a expanding Chinese economy the use of military force to achieve this goal looks to be increasingly unnecessary.
nirvana
In our current World, freedom is not a privilege but a constant fight. The US does not have the power nor the right to “abandon”, even less “to let go” of Taiwan or of any other truly sovereign country. Therefore it is high time, IMHO, that the Taiwanese show to the World that they DESERVE their freedom. If they are satisfied with the present least-effort, status-quo, they must understand the danger of such a solution in the long term. There is no guarantee that there will not be another Nixon and another Mao. Just ask Kissinger.
John Chan
@nirvana,
You are confused; please do not mix freedom with illegal separation engineered by predatory imperialist. Taiwan people will have full freedom after being reunited with China. Hong Kong is the evidence of such freedom, so does the China itself, all of them have more freedom than Philippines can provide.
“The US does not have the power nor the right to ‘abandon’, even less ‘to let go” is a strange assertion. If Philippines cries to be guaranteed for freedom, China can provide Philippines with the same guarantee as the USA or better. Why must Filipinos be guaranteed by their ex-colonial master, not by their Asian peers? Are you having racial discrimination problem?
PapaJohn
@john chan,
Red China is the worst of all. China doesn’t care for its own people, in fact, mainland Chinese people are treated horribly by its communist government. I doubt it treats people of other nations better than its own. It is the most hated nation on earth right now. Just ask your Asian neighbors.
John Chan
@PapaJohn,
You are wrong about China. In fact USA government treats it people horribly, instead of creating jobs for the millions of jobless people in the USA, the Congress and the Whitehouse are duelling cheap political points for their job extensions.
Without China the Asian nations will not be the prosperous emerging market today, they will be the destitute dead water as they had been since the colonization of the White people. Even as late as 1997 in the Asia Financial Crisis, they were ripped off by the Westpac with IMF and World Bank austerity programmes.
Do not take the propaganda from the Westpac’s black information network as given truth. USA is the world most hated nation, because it has been bombing and killing hapless nations into total destruction non-stop since WWII.
SCdad07
“US does not have the power nor the right to “abandon”, even less “to let go” of Taiwan or of any other truly sovereign country”.
Therefor, “Making Repression Our Business: The Pentagon’s Secret Training Missions in the Middle East” by Nick Turse:
“The question remains, does the United States believe the same is true for those who live in Amman, Kuwait City, Rabat, or Riyahd? And if so, why is the Pentagon strengthening the hands of repressive rulers in those capitals?”
nirvana
@SCAdad07
Nick Turse is a good investigative journalist. The middle-east regimes are oppressive and it is a shame that, for stability of oils supplies, the West has been tolerating them. The people they oppressed will eventually break free, thanks to journalists like Nick Turse. There are not many such journalists like him in China.
@John Chan,
Filippinos fought against Colonialisms and they fought against Imperialism. Although, they knew they were weak, although they sacrificed lives by millions, athough they failed to achieve their quest, they were on the right side of history. For that they earned respect, they deserve sovereignty. Not like your army under Mao, who pretended to fight the Japanese but were letting the Imperial Army slaughtering your brothers nationalists by millions, who crossed the Yalu only when Stalin’s support was promised, who under Deng tried to teach Vietnam a lesson only when Carter “winked”. The China you are so proud of has always been opportunistic. Opportunists do not earn respect. Don’t mention being a guarantor.
Cyrus14
I concur, we fought against a Superior Spain for 300 Years various Filipino revolts happened.
When United States came we fought against the Americans with Bolos and Bamboo spears with a few Rifle. That is how much we treasure our freedom no matter how undeniable hopeless the struggle adamantly continue until we are unable to do so.
When the Japs came we fought against them not because we are a colony of America but because they are in our Country and they are killing our People. We have relatively reduced the occupied territories of the Japanese with very minimal support from the Allies.
Lets, not even talk how we fought for the South Koreans in order for them to enjoy their Democracy.
We are a Freedom loving Race and we have proven that time and time again From Spanish Dominion to the Peace Keeping Missions we are launching now.
John Chan
@nirvana,
Filipinos forefathers had fought against colonialism, but the current Filipinos have betrayed their forefathers’ struggle and are begging their ex-colonial master to be their master again as shown in the comments from Filipino bloggers.
Both KMT and CCP were united and fought Fascist Japan cooperatively; as a foreigner like you knows nothing about Chinese struggle against Fascist Japan, and makes totally distorted stories about China’s anti Fascist Japan campaign surly is absurd and funny. Do you ever feel shame about fabricating all these baseless stories about Korea and anti-Vietnam intrusion wars?
Only lackey state like Philippines needs the approval of its master for every step it turns, China is an independent nation, it decides its own fate and walks its own path, please do not use Philippines’ lackey mindset to view China’s actions.
Zach
John,
I’m noticing a trend in your posts. You seem to be obsessed with imperialism, and connect modern policies to it.
I know what happened to China at the hands of the West and later Japan was an enormous tragedy, and messed up China pretty badly for a couple centuries. Who knows how much awesomer China would be right now if it weren’t for the evil nations who took advantage of her for so long and created such chaos for her?
I’m sorry that that happened. But let it go. Colonialism is not the driving force behind geopolitics anymore. There are no empires left.
(Well, technically Japan still has an emperor, but that’s neither here nor there.)
Cyrus14
We are a sovereign Nation and no one can dictate to us what we would be doing. Have you forgotten how Philippines have recalled our forces in Iraq?
We are only now more closer with the United States than say Post-Edsa Era because of the need for cooperation in regards to a more agressive China. Hence, arent you surprise we are buying 3 Ships and a Few Jets? How many years since our last Jet Fighters were decomissioned and we did not bother even to acquire replacements?
If you look at whats happening it has only China to blame for the recent Philippine actions. If ASEAN would cuddle to the US then it is not because we are mere puppets of America but that it is our Raison de etat to have the US put a check to Chinese Agression.
nirvana
@John Chan,
- During WWII, Mao openly supported Taiwan independence movement.
- During WWII, Mao instructed the PLA to spare their force and use only 10% of it to fight the Japanese. And in 1972, Mao told Japan’s prime minister Tanaka that he was greatful that Japan weakened KMT for him.
- In the Korean war, Mao was the one pushing for North Korea to start hostilities.
- During the 2nd Indochina war and before meeting Kissinger and Nixon, Mao wanted to fight the US “to the last Vietnamese”.
- In the 3rd Indochina war, China is the main sponsor and the protector of Pol pot regime.
This is part of the image the China you find glorious. All nations have an ugly past. Nobody wants protection from a nation that cover-up its ugly past.
Grant
What calls? I’ve seen two or three people suggesting it at the most. This is hardly the alteration to U.S East Asian policy that coming to terms with Maoist China was. Perhaps it might have happened if war seemed imminent with the Soviets and Taiwan stayed authoritarian, but even that seems unlikely.
George Wong
The problem of Taiwan was created by the US.US policy makers will have to find a face saving way to extricate themselves or else a bloody war not worth a single American life will take place.Historically Taiwan was and is still part of China.If I aint wrong,Reagan had to appease the US right wing by crafting the TRA.The rest is history.
The PLA is outgunned by an immense ratio.But don’t let this fool the US it will suffer no damage in a war with China.The PLA is ratcheting up the means to inflict unacceptable damage if the US wants to attack or destroy China’s military power thereby perpetuating US dominance.
greg
Taiwan will be assimilated. Not due to missiles, but to money.
Every day Taiwan increases it’s percentage of total trade with China.
(Now at about 45% of total trade)
Language, cultural gravity, and economics with do the trick. It won’t be long
before Taiwan gets “Vito Corleoned”—a deal they can’t refuse.
Frederick List
Taiwan is already independent — it has its own currency, government, armed forces, has its own accented version of Mandarin, and people in Taiwan also speak dozens of aboriginal languages, Minanhua, and Kejiahua. Taiwan should build its own submarines and nuclear weapons, and its many foreign friends should help it in this task. It should only consent to a new transnational arrangement (perhaps like the EU which is composed of many sovereign nations) conditional on the democratization of China. Otherwise, who knows how the CCP will treat the people of Taiwan — all of the Tibetan & Uighur refugees, dissidents, DPP supporters and others will be put into prison and probably tortured. If China can’t accept the exist of an independent Taiwan, the rest of Asia needs to start arming themselves to the teeth, forward deploying nuclear weapons and battlefield nuclear weapons. Taiwan is only a prelude to Arunachal Pradesh, the South China Seas, Okinawa and the Ryukyus, Mongolia, etc. etc. It is a litmus test for “peaceful rise” that the PRC is failing.
John Chan
@Frederick List,
Only American tortures people they don’t like, water boarding is their favourite.
Every nation has the right to arm itself to the teeth to defend itself. Only American lackeys are not allowed to defend themselves by their master.
Peaceful rise does not mean China cannot defend itself and will allow foreigners to interfere its internal affairs.
Taiwan is an integral part of China, anybody suggest any mean to pry Taiwan away from China is unwelcome, unwanted and interfering China’s internal affairs, it is a behaviour of predatory imperialism, and such aggressor will be defeated at all cost.
Cyrus14
John do you really want to go to torture issues? I do think Chinese are far more adept than Americans in that field.
Cyrus14
In times of war if Taiwan can hold long enough I do think USA and Japan will come to its Aid.
Japan could not afford to loose Taiwan. US can’t afford to Loose Japan.
John Chan
@Cyrus14,
USA homeland is thousands miles away from Asia on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, why should the destruction of Japan and the return of Taiwan to China have anything to do with the USA that is thousands miles away?
Why should American people be annulated by toxic nuclear dust for something that happens to two places thousands miles away from the USA homeland, and that both of those two places never let American make money but only they make American money?
Cyrus14
Japan and its Asian Allies serves as a buffer state to any attacks to the United States homeland. After Pearl Harbor the US vowed that it will prevent any attack on its homeland.
Japan and Taiwan are within the range of its long range bombers. The 7th Fleet could sail to Taiwan with haste so all Taiwan needs to do is hold out.
Did I mention that Japan is a treaty Ally of the United States? The Pacific is an American Dominion would never allow its hold on the Area to weaken. It is tantamount to its National Interest and National Defence.
Boris
Taiwan is seeds of true Chinese civilization, it preserve most of traditional Chinese view and cultural, it’s part of China, not now, for millennium. I think the real history will be totally different from any of your idea.
Though China is No.2 in economy and 20 times bigger than Taiwan, history maybe will repeat on what happened in German, let’s see.
cucu bau
Boris, should Central and South America be part of Spain, just because they share the same language, religion, values, and many Spanish people migrated there hundreds of years ago?
We are in 21st century… no need for somebody else to tell you what to do.
Another example is Australia… why in the world they need a British queen?
For Taiwan
We Taiwanese need the support of the US. Do not abandon us. However, one should recognize that the Republic of China is a sovereign state.
USA 4 USA
It is totally absurd to think we American would sacrifice our soldiers for the people of Taiwan. I mean by recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign nation, we basically declared war on China. And after 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have absolutely no appetite in starting another war. Truth to be told is that as China modernize their military, we here in America are less incline to interfere. I believe integration is only a matter of time.