Clear Commitment Needed on Taiwan Defense

Strategic Insights -

As tensions rise between China and Taiwan, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, the incoming administration's foreign policy advisers, need to take a clear stance on the United States' commitment to defend Taiwan. The Pentagon has recently reversed its position on the island's ability to repel a Chinese invasion, and the US Defense Intelligence Agency has reported that China has deployed several hundred short-range ballistic missiles along the coast opposite Taiwan. This situation calls for decisive leadership from Powell and Rice, as they set out to formulate a plan for dealing with these escalating tensions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pentagon has reversed its earlier position that Taiwan could successfully repel an invasion by Chinese troops.
  • China has deployed several hundred short-range ballistic missiles along the coast opposite Taiwan.
  • The US Defense Intelligence Agency has reported that Chinese leader Jiang Zemin may be planning an invasion of Taiwan.
  • The Clinton administration never clearly stated whether the United States would defend Taiwan, leaving the impression that it would, but ultimately creating ambiguity.
  • Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice should state clearly that the United States would honor its obligation to defend Taiwan, a long-time ally.
  • Not defending Taiwan could lead to a Chinese-Taiwanese war, causing "complete destabilization of the East Asian region and the economies there, and therefore global financial instability."
  • Taiwan has functioned as a sovereign nation for the past 50 years, with the Taiwanese people wanting to be left alone to maintain their political and economic freedom.
  • The Bush administration should keep U.S. commitments and state clearly that it would defend Taiwan if necessary.
  • The United States has a long history of supporting Taiwan, including having the US Seventh Fleet ordered to the area in 1950 to deter a Chinese invasion.

Statistics:

  • China has deployed 200-300 short-range ballistic missiles along the coast opposite Taiwan. (1)
  • The Clinton administration imposed economic sanctions on China after the March 1996 crisis. (Source not explicitly stated in the text)
  • Taiwan has maintained its sovereignty for the past 50 years, with a high standard of living and democratic freedoms. (Source not explicitly stated in the text)

Sources:

  • [Source 1] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Henry Shelton
  • [Source 2] Report to Congress by the Pentagon
  • [Source 3] Interview with Condoleezza Rice published by policy.com