Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
September 23, 2022
The world is risking a nuclear war because the on-going war in Ukraine. If another war breaks out over Taiwan, no one will not suffer. Because the war in Ukraine is essentially a contest between the two largest nuclear powers in the world: the US vs Russia. The risk of a nuclear war is increasing day by day as long as there is no cease fire in Ukraine. The Taiwan issue is essentially a contest between the US and China, number one economy vs the second largest economy in the world. After decades of globalization, the world is decoupling with economic warfare. It is a very painful process even without a military war. Further, COVID-19 has ravaged the global supply chains for the past three years, yet it is over yet.
The net result of the war in Ukraine is a broken Europe economy. By this winter, social unrests will cause havoc in Europe. If a new proxy war would break out between the US and China over Taiwan, the global economy will be paralyzed instantly. The net result would not be about who wins or who loses, survivors would be the lucky ones! Unfortunately, those survivors will not enjoy a lifestyle anywhere close to today’s conveniences.
It is up to US and China, both to maintain peace and prosperity in Indo Pacific region including Taiwan straits. The US does not have a monopoly or unliteral mandate of Taiwan. Especially the will of the people in Taiwan should be respected, not only the will of the political party in power.
Granted, Taiwan has a democratic system, so it is an open society. The reality is also that society in Taiwan is as polarized as the US. Taiwan’s legislator house is famous for scuffles, although it is not as bad as the US 2021, January 6th surge to the congress yet.
The US needs to better understand China but it also needs to understand Taiwan. When US politicians visit Taipei to show support, they only meet with the administration shortly and left. It means that the US is dictating Taiwan’s administration, but what about people’s will? It is customary for the US officials to meet with the opposing party in other countries, especially if the party in power is not cooperating with the US. Specifically, during the recent Hong Kong “event” the US stood 100% behind the rioters, without exception.
For example, when Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei recently, it was a big deal. Does she know that, not everyone in Taiwan welcomes her? In fact, many people voiced, even after she left Taipei, that she was not welcome. US politicians who visit Taipei should spend time to meet with opposition parties and general public to better gauge the real will of the people rather than the politicians in power.
Biden administrations send mixed signals to China and the world about Taiwan. He has lost a lot of credibility for the US. For example, his administration has stated in clear message that the “US does not support Taiwan independence” But when “Taiwan official stresses need to resist Chinese provocation, calls for country’s inclusion at United Nations” in New York City while UN was on session, should the US government take a public stand and stop this nonsense?
No! So, is the US a troublemaker?
China willing to make effort for peaceful ‘reunification’ with Taiwan
Martin Quin Pollard Tue, September 20, 2022 at 8:07 PM
BEIJING (Reuters) -China is willing to make the utmost effort to strive for a peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan, a Chinese government spokesperson said on Wednesday, following weeks of military manoeuvres and war games by Beijing near the island.
China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.
China has been carrying out drills near Taiwan since early last month, after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, including firing missiles into waters near the island.
Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told a news conference in Beijing ahead of next month’s once-in-five-years Communist Party congress that China was willing to make the greatest efforts to achieve peaceful “reunification”.
“The motherland must be reunified and will inevitably be reunified,” Ma said.
China’s determination to safeguard its territory is unwavering, he added.
China has also never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and in 2005 passed a law giving the country the legal basis for military action against Taiwan if it secedes or seems about to.
China has refused to talk to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen since she first took office in 2016, believing she is a separatist. She has repeatedly offered to talk on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
But Tsai’s predecessor Ma Ying-jeou held a landmark meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in 2015.
Speaking at the same news conference, Qiu Kaiming, head of the research department at the party’s Taiwan Work Office, said the Xi-Ma meeting showed their “strategic flexibility” towards Taiwan.
That “showed the world that Chinese people on both sides of the Strait are absolutely wise and capable enough of solving our own problems”, he added.
Taiwan’s government says that as the island has never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China, its sovereignty claims are void.
Biden reaffirms ‘one China’ policy at UN after saying US troops would defend Taiwan
Caitlin McFall Wed, September 21, 2022 at 11:01 AM
President Biden on Wednesday looked to set the record straight following his surprising commitment to defend Taiwan with troops and said the U.S. is “committed” to the “One China” policy.
“We seek to pull peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and remain committed to our ‘One China’ policy, which has helped prevent conflict for four decades,” he told world leaders during the 77th UN General Assembly in New York City. “We continue to oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side.”
Taiwan official stresses need to resist Chinese provocation, calls for country’s inclusion at United Nations
Peter Aitken, Ben Evansky Tue, September 20, 2022 at 9:00 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Taiwan’s de facto consul general questioned the legitimacy of the United Nations, which continues to exclude the island nation at a time when it seeks to address its security concerns and better integrate itself as a vital part of the international community.
Biden Says US Would Defend Taiwan From ‘Unprecedented Attack’
Josh Wingrove
Mon, September 19, 2022 at 1:04 AM
China dials down Taiwan rhetoric; US, Canada transit strait
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China Taiwan
In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, The Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) transits the Taiwan Strait with guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) while conducting a routine transit on Sept. 20, 2022. China toned down its rhetoric on Taiwan on Wednesday, Sept. 21, saying it is inevitable that the self-governing island comes under its control but that it would promote efforts to achieve that peacefully. The comments came one day after the U.S. and Canadian navies sailed through the strait between China and Taiwan. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo/U.S.Navy via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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China Taiwan
In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) conducts a routine Taiwan Strait transit Sept. 20, 2022. China toned down its rhetoric on Taiwan on Wednesday, Sept. 21, saying it is inevitable that the self-governing island comes under its control but that it would promote efforts to achieve that peacefully. The comments came one day after the U.S. and Canadian navies sailed through the strait between China and Taiwan. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo/U.S.Navy via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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China Taiwan
In this photo provided by U.S. Navy The Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331), left, transits the Taiwan Strait with guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) while conducting a routine transit on Sept. 20, 2022. China toned down its rhetoric on Taiwan on Wednesday, Sept. 21, saying it is inevitable that the self-governing island comes under its control but that it would promote efforts to achieve that peacefully. The comments came one day after the U.S. and Canadian navies sailed through the strait between China and Taiwan. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo/U.S.Navy via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS