Politics of Taiwan: Diplomacy, Impingement and Standoff.
A look into how Taiwan dwells in a situation in which the present is chaotic and the future seems apprehensible, not just for it but for the whole world.
On August 2, 2022, American politician and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, made a visit to Taiwan, which though recognized officially under the “Republic of China”. The visit sets the flames over the stove of a diplomatic tussle between the U.S. and China again. She is the second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency and a consistent critic of China. She was the highest leader to visit Taiwan after the visit of Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997. The diplomacy of Taiwan is not a new trend, China under its PRC has always treated Taiwan as its part, which is contrary to Taiwan’s choice, which wishes to remain independent, sovereign and democratic contrary. The visit made the mark of indirect support of the U.S., to which China warned that its military would never “sit idly by” and China would take it as the deterioration between Washington and Beijing’s relationship.
UNDERSTANDING TAIWAN’S DIPLOMACY
Taiwan’s history is not easy to dissolve. It dates back to the late 1600s when the Qing dynasty conquered Taiwan. Following this, in the year 1895 Japanese took it in the Sino-Japanese War from Qing China in compliance with a treaty. However, later in 1945, the Republic Of China (ROC) armed troops defeated Japan and regained its control. Further, the year 1949 is significant, as in this year, the Communist government overthrew the traditional National Chinese government and amplified their rule. And from here, the Taiwan controversy begins.
The traditional National Chinese government, the Kuomintang administration (KMT), was deported to Taiwan. KMT asserted that the Republic of China (ROC) consisted of both the island and the mainland and was administered by them, making them the voice representing all Chinese people. However, as the trade and diplomatic relations process, all the international bodies and the country started to question the authority as really a small island represents a large country. And finally, it was in the year 1971, Beijing won the right to represent China at U.N., and the ROC lost its seat. People’s Republic of China (PRC) has since replaced the Republic of China (ROC) position. Even in 1979, Washington acknowledged PRC officially. A decade later, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Kuomintang (KMT) reached an agreement known as the “Consensus”. Although it declares that there is only “one China,” it leaves room for many interpretations. The 1992 Consensus is based on the unspoken understanding that Taiwan will not pursue independence. However, at the same time, the 30 years of autonomy left a seed of democracy that led not to merge with the communist autonomy. Even in 2005, the Chinese government passed the anti-secession act whose article 8 provides the PRC power to use the military over china in case otherwise.
The current president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, many a time rejected the “consensus” and said that the framework of one country with two systems is unacceptable. Thus, the status and the historical perspective provide a cloudy picture in which there can be seen the tussle between independence and dominance.
Background of Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi has spent over 30 years in the U.S. House and for a long has been a vocal opponent of China. She also actively participated in the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, which made her a focus of scathing criticism from Beijing. Critical democratic principles and liberal initiatives, such as same-sex marriage and a robust social security system, are vital to Pelosi. Holding the notion that the U.S. must demonstrate its support for Taiwan. And so the visit indirectly seems to demonstrate.
The visit of Nancy Pelosi cleared that the U.S. would not leave the island nation alone. This deteriorates the relations between the two biggest power of the world. Chinese condemned the move of the U.S., and bought out several sanctions on Pelosi and suspended key U.S. talks. Not even this, amid growing concerns about the status quo of Taiwan, China drilled its biggest ever military exercises in the waters around Taiwan.
Sensitive Timing.
The world was already confiscated under the bad times. Whether it was the fear of the recession, the fate of the Russia-Ukraine War, or the COVID-19 supplements. And amid these times, another tussle would exacerbate the situation. Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan comes just a day after the foundation anniversary of China’s commemoration of the People’s Liberation Army on August 1, making the timing more sensitive. Two nations are rivals of each other, and the U.S. object China for the fading morality and the inhuman treatment, especially towards the Uyghur Muslims and Hong Kong. All this not pleasant signs. Enhancing the fear of the War, that if happens would be a curse to the world, which is still recovering from the ill- effect of the Covid- 19 pandemic.
Conclusion
U.S. and China were two hegemonic nations of the world and being so, they were always in rivalry. However, in recent times this rivalry seems to be less economic and more political. Both technically and geographical, Taiwan would be an important part that proliferate China making it a global superpower. And this is certainly a thing that the U.S. does not want. We saw how the tussle between the USSR and NATO cost Ukraine. And nobody wants Taiwan to be another such Ukraine. However, at the same time, this does not mean crawling over the voices and the demands over the nation. The issue has to address beyond the political agenda for a collective better future. To prevent the deadly War and the peaceful settlement of the diplomacy between the two regions.
Widening the aspect of the discussion, looking beyond this political diplomacy, one of the important questions that come into force is if we assume (assumption solely for the discussion, does not provide any view or support to any side) Taiwan to be a part of China, then what if it wanted to separate itself and seeks independence?
In easy words, what if a region of the alliance or nation wanted to separate itself from the country? Would it be allowed as everyone has the right to decide, or is it not?
Do share your perspective.
