One China, many meanings: Why the absurd one-China policy must be upheld
One China, many meanings
Why the absurd one-China policy must be upheld
from The Economist
If US rejects “one-China policy”: riots would erupt in China; China might attack on Taiwan; the global economy would shudder
The policy is in a fragile state. Mr Trump needs to make US’s support for the status quo clearer than ever
The aim of the policy was to flatter Red China, which Nixon wanted as an ally in the cold war against the Soviet Union
They were divided by ideology but united initially by the hatred of the Soviets & later by the pursuit of wealth by trading with each other
“Taiwan Relations Act” hints that US might come to defend Taiwan. China might be building up military power to deter US’s intervention
Last year Taiwanese elected an independence-leaning president & have started to question the idea of “one China”
Most are happy to let the one-China fudge persist. But the Communist Party will never abandon its claim & may be tempted to invade Taiwan
Rather than using Taiwan as a bargaining chip, US should maintain its military support for it’s a token that US has a stake in Taiwan’s fate
