China - Taiwan

• China wants to reunite with Taiwan (reunification) and bring Taiwan under Beijing rule whilst Taiwan wants to remain independent
• The One-China Policy is the idea that there is only one Chinese state, but it can be divided into two parts.
• Only 14 countries recognise Taiwan as a legitimate state
• China views Taiwan as a 'renegade' province and forced other countries to shun Taiwan, set up embassies in China not Taiwan, and companies to list Taiwan as part of China
• Taiwan is an example of a de facto state because it acts like a sovereign state even though it isn’t recognised by many states
• Taiwan is part of the 'first island chain' and if China takes Taiwan it would result China to have a greater influence in the West Pacific and thus rivalling the US
• Taiwan is trying to cut tut economic ties with China but this would have a great economic impact on Taiwan as China is one of the main supporters of their economy thus making them quite dependant on China
• If Taiwan is reunified it would result in a loss of identity for many Taiwanese people
• One political problem is which state to back if the relations escalate especially US who recognises the One-China policy but supports Taiwan with arms and economic aid
• Realists would argue that its only natural for China to try to gain control over Taiwan and that its only exercising their sovereignty
• March 2014 = Taiwan Sunflower Movement - first open protest against China, stormed parliament and stopped a planned trade pact with China shows how social movement can impact global politics not just states
• August 2022 = Nancy Pelosi (US house speaker) visited Taiwan this was very provocative, China announced live-fire military drills and there were greater quantity of threats and China passed the median line more often in retaliation
• April 8 2023 = Chinese 3 day long drills, crossed median line and simulated attacking Taiwan ended with a standoff between China and Taiwan
• January 2024 = Taiwan elections - Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party won the election this will likely cause China-Taiwan relations to deteriorate, there wasn't a definite majority only 40% of the vote