Taiwan is back on the geopolitical menu



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<img alt = "A protester holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a stopover after his visit to Latin America in Burlingame, California, United States , January 14, 2017. REUTERS / Stephen Lam [19659002] A protester holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a stopover after his visit to Latin America to Burlingame, California, USA, January 14, 2017. REUTERS / Stephen Lam [19659003] A protester holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at a stopover after his visit to Latin America in Burlingame, California, United States, January 14, 2017. REUTERS / Stephen Lam

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" Scott B. MacDonald "data-reagent =" 24 "> Scott B. MacDonald

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Security, Asia "data-reactid =" 25 "> Security, Asia

Taiwan is under pressure from Xi China, but Trump America is pushing back.

Taiwan is back on the geopolitical menu

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " While Asian international relations digest the importance of Singapore's Trump-Kim Summit, Taiwan is again a point of disagreement between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the states As a result, relations between Beijing and Taipei are icy and will probably worsen before they improve. "data-reactid =" 28 "> While the international relations of Asia digests the importance of the Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore Taiwan is again a point of contention between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the United States, which means that relations between Beijing and Taipei are icy and are likely to worsen before improving

. = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " For its part, the People's Republic of China is also Taiwan renamed the Republic of China (DRC), as a separatist province that will eventually be reunited with the continent.The present government in Taiwan has its roots at the end of the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) when the nationalists (Kuomintang or KMT) have withdrawn after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) .While Taiwan has remained in opposition to the PRC, it has adhered to the idea of ​​a possible reunification with the continent, in this sense that there was "a China." The unique China framework allowed Beijing and Taipei to live with the idea that they could coexist until the day when both parties would find At the same time, the message of the People's Republic of China has been Coherence – the military force would respond to any attempt by Taiwan to become an independent country. "data-reactid =" 29 "> For its part, the People's Republic of China Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China (DRC), is a separatist province that will eventually be reunited with mainland China. After the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), the Nationalists (Kuomintang or KMT) were withdrawn after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), although Taiwan remained in opposition with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). the PRC, adhering to the idea of ​​a possible reunification with the Chinese mainland.The unique China framework has allowed Beijing and Taipei to live with the idea that they could coexist until the day when the two parties would find the reunification mutually attractive, but the message of the People's Republic of China has been constant: the military force respond to a whole ttempt by Taiwan to become an independent country.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" What helped to maintain Taiwan's functional independence from China was the support provided by the United States. Although the United States opted for the diplomatic recognition of Beijing as the de jure Chinese state on Taiwan in 1979, they had a solid relationship with the DRC, including the sale of arms and support casual naval. At the same time, Taiwan's political system gradually shifted from a dictatorship to a representative democracy, marked by the first general elections of the island in 1992. The first direct presidential elections took place in 1996 and , in the 2000 presidential election, Taiwan has first peaceful transfer of power of nationalists to the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). From then on, Taiwan held regular elections with peaceful power transfers in 2008 and 2016. "data-reactid =" 30 "> What Helped to Maintain Functional Independence from Taiwan to China Although the United States chose to diplomatically recognize the Chinese de jure state of Taiwan in 1979, it maintained close relations with the DRC, including the sale of Chinese goods. The system gradually shifted from a dictatorship to a representative democracy, marked by the first general elections of the island in 1992. The first direct presidential elections took place in 1996 and during the 2000 presidential election, Taiwan experienced its first peaceful transfer of power.Nationalists in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), opposition party Since then, Taiwan has held regular elections with tran Peaceful sferts of power in 2008 and 2016.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " In the 1980s and In the 1990s, Taiwan also became a highly competitive and export-oriented "tiger" economy, alongside Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The pillar of the economy was electronics, machinery and petrochemicals. Trade is also developed with mainland China. Despite their political differences, trade has developed between the People's Republic of China and Congo. In addition, the Taiwanese capital sank in the mainland and tourists sank between the island and the mainland. "data-reactid =" 31 "> In the 1980s and 1990s, Taiwan also developed the Tiger economy, alongside Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea South, has been the mainstay of the electronic economy, machinery and petrochemicals, while the trade has developed with mainland China, sunk into the mainland and tourists have sunk between the mainland and the mainland. island and continent

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Three things have changed the dynamics of China-Taiwan-US relations and made the island-state a more significant point of geopolitical flash. First, the 2016 elections brought a change in China-Taiwan relations. The winning candidate was DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen, the first woman president of the island. The People's Republic of China preferred the KMT candidate (considered more pro-China) and feared Tsai because of his views on Taiwan's status. Although she has vowed to maintain the cross-strait relationship followed by previous governments, the mainland is wary of Tsai and worried about her willingness to discuss Taiwan's future relationship with the continent at all. the levels of Taiwanese society. reacties = "32"> Three elements have changed the dynamics of Sino-Taiwanese relations and have made the island state a more important geopolitical flash point: the 2016 elections have had to take place. first transformed Sino-Taiwanese relations. Tsi Ing-wen, a DPP candidate, was the first woman president of the island, preferring the KMT candidate (considered more pro-China) and fearing Tsai because of her views on Taiwan's status. . the cross-strait relationship followed by previous governments, the mainland is wary of Tsai and concerned about its willingness to discuss the issue of Taiwan's future relations with the mainland with all levels of Taiwanese society

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " The second development was l-39 Emergence of an autocratic government in the PRC and its new goal of making China the first among the nations The Chinese strongman Xi asserts the authority of Beijing further, which includes making of the South China Sea its strategic background, while at the same time, Taiwan remains a reminder of the past in which China was a weak country, unable to repel the Western powers and Japan. last part of China not to be reunited with the pa PRC, Macau and Hong Kong have been brought back earlier. In addition, another aspect of this is that Taiwan represents a political threat to President Xi's autocratic regime. The reason is that, unlike the PRC, Taiwan has become an elective political system with a free press, multiple political parties and a tradition of peaceful transfers of power from one party to the other. This is entirely anathema to President Xi and his court. "data-reactid =" 35 "> The second development was the emergence of an autocratic government in the PRC and its new goal of making China the first human Chinese strongman Xi claims Beijing's authority further, which includes making the South China Sea its strategic background. While Taiwan remains a reminder of the past when China was a weak country, unable to fend off European powers and Japan In addition, Taiwan is also the last part of China not to be reunited with mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong having been brought back earlier in the fold. The reason is that, unlike the PRC, Taiwan has become an elective political system with a free press, multiple political parties, and a tradition of peaceful transfers from party to party. anathema to President Xi and his a court

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Since the President Tsai is in power, China has exerted greater pressure on Taiwan, including frequent military exercises in the neighborhood and an escalation of cyberattacks. According to Chien Hung-Wei, general manager of the department of cybersecurity under the Yuan Executive, the Taiwanese government, the island-state government departments are bombarded by tens of millions of hacking attempts each months.In addition, the number of "high-impact incidents" that include targeted attacks aimed at stealing government data and personal information tripled from four to twelve in 2017. The PRC has also been aggressively seeking to reduce the number of countries that still recognize Taiwan as an independent state. "data-reactid =" 36 "> Since President Tsai is in power, China has put more pressure on Taiwan, including frequent military exercises in the neighborhood and escalation in cyber According to Chien Hung-Wei, general manager of the department of cybersecurity under the Yuan Executive, the Taiwan government, the state-island government departments are bombarded by tens of millions of attempts to Each month, the number of "high-impact incidents" that include targeted attacks aimed at stealing sensitive government data and personal information has tripled from four to twelve in 2017. The PRC has also been aggressive to reduce the number of countries Taiwan as an independent state

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" The third develops Trump's presidency wants to level the playing field. Although the US president has emphasized his personal relationship with President Xi, the United States and China are increasingly locked into a new cold war. Trade relations have become acrimonious and are likely to worsen while America is not satisfied with China's consolidation of its military position in the South China Sea, expanding of its armed forces overseas and its penetration in Latin America and the Caribbean, indeed, the S. in 2018 has been more outspoken on the penetration of China in the Caribbean, especially after the success won by Beijing in the Dominican Republic to change its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan for greater adherence to the People's Republic of China in May 2018. = "37"> The third development is the presidency of Trump, who wants to standardize the rules of the game with China. Although the US president has stressed his personal relationship with President Xi, the United States and China are increasingly locked in what many now see as a new Cold War. Trade relations have become acrimonious and may worsen. At the same time, America is not satisfied with China's consolidation of its military position in the South China Sea, the expansion of its overseas forces and its penetration in Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, the United States in 2018 was more outspoken about China's penetration into the Caribbean, especially after the Dominican Republic's victory over the DPRK's recognition of Taiwan in May 2018.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " In this context of shifting geopolitics, Trump l 39; Administration was willing to improve the importance of Taiwan, which does not mean that Washington will recognize the island as an independent country, but it has allowed the sale of arms and pushed more relations between the government and the political leaders of both countries.In addition, from a legal point of view, nothing forbids President Tsai to visit the United States and, in June, America. opened a new $ 255 million de facto embassy in Taipei (called the Americ "data-reactid =" 38 "> [1 9459022] In this context of shifting geopolitics, the Trump administration wanted to update the importance of Taiwan. This is not to say that Washington will recognize the island as an independent country, but it has allowed arms sales and pushed more relations between the government and the political leaders of both countries. In addition, from a legal point of view, nothing forbids President Tsai to visit the United States. In addition, in June, America opened a new $ 255 million de facto embassy in Taipei (called the American Institute)

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) MB (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" For the Trump administration, Taiwan also has a great interest in reminding the PRC that the United States is still engaged in Asia just as Cuba did for the Soviet Union during the Cold War, a subtle reminder for Washington that Moscow had an ally in the US backyard, while the credibility of the United States is tied to support for Taiwan in the rest of the region, and the US policy towards China has become more assertive, as evidenced by the conflict between President Trump and Korea North: in a way, Washington and Beijing compete in North Korea. focus attention on the importance geopolitics of Taiwan as an ally of the United States. "data-reactid =" 39 "> For the Trump administration, Taiwan also has considerable value in reminding the PRC that the United States is still engaged in Asia. Taiwan works a lot like Cuba did for the Soviet Union during the Cold War, a subtle reminder for Washington that Moscow had an ally in the US court.At the same time, American credibility is support for Taiwan by keeping an eye on the rest of the region, especially the countries concerned about the rise of Chinese power, and the US policy towards China has become more assertive, as evidenced by Trump President with North Korea In a sense, while Washington and Beijing are competing for influence in North Korea, the geopolitical significance of Taiwan as an ally of the United States has been questioning

<p class = "canvas -atome canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" In the case of a real war, it is doubtful that America could win, given the distance it would have to project its power, the proximity of the mainland to Taiwan and the increasing sophistication of the PRC's armed forces. However, the US military involvement, fighter alongside the Taiwanese army, could make any military action of the PRC too painful to consider. democracy and keeps the United States as a valuable ally in a region determined to more changes in the structure of its international relations. "data-reactid =" 40 "> In the event of a real war, it is questionable whether America could win, given the distance it would have to project its power, the clo the sovereignty of the mainland in Taiwan and the growing sophistication of the PRC armed forces.However, the US military involvement, fighting alongside the Taiwanese army, could make any military action of the PRC too painful This preserves Taiwan as a functional democracy and keeps the United States as a valuable ally in a region set for more changes in the structure of its international relations.

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" For the future, Taiwan poses a thorny problem to President Xi.The democratic form of Government of the island is not compatible with that of the PRC and s alliance with the United States makes the military option of a potentially painful forced reunification.However, the more Taiwan enjoys its political freedoms and its economy continues to operate, there is a risk that the links that "This ties down to the point that Taiwanese are willing to risk a declaration of independence, which is at least the nightmare that the leaders of mainland China are facing and it is doubtful that". a leader of China can survive politically after leaving such a statement unanswered. There are no easy solutions for Taiwan in the future, but as long as the United States remains an unwavering ally and the independence map is not played, the status quo will be maintained "data-reactid =" 41 "> In the future, Taiwan poses a thorny problem to President Xi.The democratic form of government of the island does not have a problem. is not compatible with that of the PRC, and its alliance with the United States makes the military option of a potentially painful forced reunification.However, more Taiwan will enjoy its political freedoms and if its economy continues to operate , the links that bind the "single China" framework may diminish to the point that Taiwanese may risk a declaration of independence, at least that is the nightmare scenario facing the leaders of the Mainland China and it is doubtful that a leader of China survives politiq after leaving such a statement unanswered. There are no easy solutions for Taiwan in the future, but as long as the United States remains an unwavering ally and the independence map is not played, the status quo is continue.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Scott B. MacDonald is Director Major General of KWR International, clean and not necessarily those of KWR International "data-reactid =" 42 "> Scott B. MacDonald is a senior managing director of KWR International. The opinions expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily represent those of KWR International.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Image: A protester holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a stopover after his visit to Latin America in Burlingame, California, United States, January 14, 2017. REUTERS / Stephen Lam "data-reactid =" 43 "> Image: A protester holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a halt after his visit to Latin America in Burlingame, California, United States, January 14, 2017. REUTERS / Stephen Lam

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