A US expert on China is warning that there is growing unease in Taiwan over the speed and breadth of expanding cross-strait economic relations.
“There are real security concerns that Taiwan needs to take seriously,” said John Garver, professor of international affairs at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
In an interview published on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Asian Research, Garver discussed cross-strait relations and the impact of the Sunflower movement on Taiwan and on Chinese perceptions about Taiwan.
Having analyzed what has happened to Ukraine — especially Crimea — he said that he is “absolutely confident” that if Beijing decides to move against Taiwan, it will first initiate the emergence of local groups calling for Chinese involvement.
“This will cause cleavages and fissures within Taiwan about this new era in cross-strait relations,” he said.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has made “impressive” progress in relations with the mainland, but he has failed to establish an adequate consensus-building process because of political difficulties, Garver said.
“Taiwan needs to consider this very seriously within the rubric of internal security,” he said.
“Chinese involvement with Taiwan’s airline industry, telecommunications industry and other strategic sectors has considerable national security implications,” Garver said.
“Taiwan has moved very far and very fast in expanding cross-strait economic cooperation, trade ties and cultural ties with the PRC [People’s Republic of China] — leading to a growing apprehension about the direction and uncertainty of cross-strait relations,” he said.
Ma’s policies are a “major step” toward the full integration of the two economies and China “will not get a more pro-Chinese leader of Taiwan than Ma,” Garver said.
He said that China should be rewarding Ma’s efforts and giving him reasons to reassure the Taiwanese that closer cross-strait integration is to their advantage.
“Beijing has not been more forthcoming, likely because that would make the regime appear weak, especially in the eyes of the People’s Liberation Army, which believes that such a generous approach of diplomatic peace would not be appropriate, given China’s growing international power,” Garver said.
Additional reporting by staff writer
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS