Taiwan Protection

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Taiwan Protection

• Paul Svendsen

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Taiwan Protection

• After Japan was defeated in World War 2, the
  Chinese Communists overthrew the ROC (Republic of
  China) government in mainland China (Chinese
  Civil War). The ROC was then forced to retreat
  to Taiwan (1949). Taiwan has fought to keep
  political independence (from China) to this day.
  The relationship at times is a bit rocky with no
  clear solution. China claims that Taiwan
  operates under a renegade government. China
  has also stated that they will not be afraid to
  use force (military might) to achieve
  reunification. In short, Taiwan seeks to remain
  an independent, sovereign nation. China would
  like to see Taiwan return to the mainland.

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Taiwan Protection

• Currently, China does not see Taiwan as a
  sovereign nation. They (China) see Taiwan as a
  part of the mainland. In China they often
  refer to this as the One-China Policy.
  Meaning, there is only China, no Taiwan.

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Taiwan Protection

• On the eve of his visit to Washington, PRC
  Premier Wen Jiabao warned on November 22, 2003,
  that China would pay any price to safeguard the
  unity of the motherland.

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Taiwan Protection

• Does the United States hold an interest in this
  conflict?

6
1982
US-China arms sales communique to reduce the
quantity of US arms sales to Taiwan.
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1992

• In response to Chinas aggression towards Taiwan,
  the Bush administration violated the 1982 pledge,
  selling Taiwan 150 F-16 warplanes.

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1995

• The White House approved a visa for Lee Teng-hui
  (Taiwans most senior leader at the time). This
  led to China displaying a dramatic show of force
  consisting of military exercises and missile
  tests targeted toward Taiwan.

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1996

• The United States responded to Chinas aggression
  (Taiwan Strait Confrontation) with an equally
  dramatic deployment of two carrier battle groups.

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1995-1996

• The 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Confrontation was the
  closest the United States and China had come to a
  crisis since the early 1960s.

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Taiwan Protection

• It is hard to determine exactly how Chinese
  citizens feel towards their governments stance
  in regards to Taiwan. I say this because the
  majority of Chinese citizens are afraid to speak
  out against their government. As far as affected
  groups go, the Taiwanese have called for support
  and their wishes have not gone unheard. Over the
  years the U.S. has continued to supply Taiwan
  with arms and military grade aircraft (despite a
  1982 US-China arms sales communique to reduce the
  quantity of US arms sales to Taiwan). Taiwan has
  responded directly to the Chinese government by
  upgrading their F-16 fleet and by protecting
  local Taiwanese fishermen with military warships.

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Taiwan Protection

• Chinas position on this topic could affect them
  greatly on both the regional and international
  level. Both levels in a sense coincide with one
  another. If China seeks to use senseless
  military might against Taiwan, they (China) could
  pay the ultimate price by starting an
  international conflict and/or war. Thus
  resulting in a full-fledged conflict between
  China and the United States (to name just a few).
  This would affect China directly at both the
  regional and international level. A war over
  Taiwan would surely come with economic and trade
  sanctions (upon China). Sanctions imposed by the
  U.S. would hit China at home and on the global
  stage. The PRC and CPC would most definitely
  take a hit internationally. By hit, I mean
  opinions and thoughts towards both parties would
  shift in a negative direction internationally.

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Taiwan Protection

• It is hard to say exactly, but it seems China is
  hard pressed to continue their bully-like
  tactics towards Taiwan. China has advised the US
  to be mindful of Chinese sovereignty and stressed
  that no one can shake Chinas determination to
  safeguard its national sovereignty and
  territorial integrity.

14
Taiwan Protection

• It seems China will use military might, rather
  than force to continue to intimidate Taiwan. By
  doing this, China may be able to coax the
  Taiwanese to returning to the PRC and being under
  rule of the CPC. It will be interesting to see
  what role the United States will play in this.
  This is a hot issue and one that could turn
  nasty, rather quickly if not handled properly.
  Regardless of what China decides, in the long
  run, I do not see China faltering at either the
  global or regional level in regards to power.
  China is growing at an astounding rate and should
  have no problem becoming the worlds next
  superpower. The Institute of Peace Conflict
  Studies (found using our web page) helped me to
  draw these conclusions.

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Taiwan Protection

• I think this topic relates directly to Global
  Stature. Depending on what China decides to do
  next in regards to Taiwan, (in my opinion at
  least) will set the tone for Chinas approach to
  the international system as the next superpower.
  Will the CPC stick to their guns and not divulge
  from their old tactics of authoritarianism? Or
  will they seek a more diplomatic solution? Fear
  and intimidation may not favor China off the bat
  and could paint a negative portrait to the
  international community. A more diplomatic
  solution could lead to mutual respect among
  Chinas international peers and could be a step
  away from more traditional communist approaches.

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Taiwan Protection

• I find it surprising how hell-bent China is in
  regards to re-obtaining Taiwan. China most
  certainly does not need to acquire Taiwan for
  economic reasons (China is currently the worlds
  2nd largest economy). If anything, Taiwans
  ability to remain independent makes China and the
  communist government within it (China) look weak.
  Perhaps this is why China is so crazed to take
  the island back. The U.S. seems to be playing
  referee. It will be interesting to see how this
  conflict plays out.