Untying the Knot: Making Peace in the Taiwan Strait
ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Bush, Richard C., PUBLISHER: Brookings Institution Press, ong>Theong> relationship between Taiwan and China is a paradox. On ong>theong> one hand, ong>theong> two economies are becoming increasingly integrated, as Taiwanese companies have come to regard ong>theong> mainland as ong>theong> best place to manufacture ong>theong>ir products and maintain global competitiveness. On ong>theong> oong>theong>r hand, ong>theong> long-running and changing political dispute between ong>theong> two governments remains unresolved. Each side fears ong>theong> intentions of ong>theong> oong>theong>r and is acquiring military capabilities to deter disaster. In its pursuit of peace in ong>theong> Taiwan Strait, ong>theong> United States could get drawn into a war between ong>theong> two rivals. Richard C. Bush, whose career has been dedicated to Taiwan-China issues, explores ong>theong> conflicts between ong>theong>se nations and ong>theong> difficulties that must be resolved. Disagreements over sovereignty and security form ong>theong> core of ong>theong> dispute. What would be ong>theong> legal status and international role of ong>theong> Taiwan government in a future unified China? Given Chinas growing military power, how could Taiwan feel secure? Complicating ong>theong>se issues are domestic politics and international competition, as well as misperceptions on both sides. Thus multiple obstacles prevent ong>theong> two sides from even getting to ong>theong> negotiating table, much less reaching a mutually acceptable resolution. For reasons of policy and politics, ong>theong> United States is constrained from a central role. To begin with, it must provide China with some reassurance about its policy in order to secure cooperation on foreign policy issues. At ong>theong> same time, it must bolster Taiwans political confidence and military deterrence while discouraging provocative actions. ong>Theong> arcane nature of this dispute severely restricts ong>theong> role of ong>theong> United States asconflict mediator. But if ong>theong>re is to be any solution to this conflict, ong>theong> comprehensive analysis that this book provides will be required reading for effective policy.