Nowhere is this dramatic change in the security situation more daunting than Taiwan. If a 1996-type crisis happens again, the possibility of outside help would be quite slim, given the US’ new found sensitivitiy to China’s sensibilities, however unreasonable.
For a small country situated between great powers, like Taiwan, it is a good idea to hedge one’s bets by maintaining good relations with Beijing and the US. However, with China accounting for nearly half of Taiwan’s exports, the two economies likely to become increasingly integrated and China’s continued territorial ambitions toward Taiwan, it is clear which side has the advantage.
To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, Taiwan needs to strengthen its ties with security partners like the US and Japan. More importantly, its current pro-China policy needs to change now before it is too late.
Ho-ting Tu is a journalist and writer based in Taipei and also a researcher of cross-strait relations and US foreign policy.
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