China’s Interests in Taiwan and What It Means for Global Politics

Introduction

The world has its eye on the increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, which has been heightened by the increased activity of the Chinese military in the Taiwan Strait over the last few months[1] . These activities escalated when dozens of Chinese planes were dispatched into Taiwan’s airspace, encroaching the entire airspace and forcing Taiwan’s defence ministry to scramble its defence system[2]. Chinese interests in Taiwan have been consistent over the years, given China’s unwavering belief that Taiwan is part of China, maintaining that Taiwan is indeed part of greater China [3]. The conflict has attracted US interest which has, over the years, maintained a good relationship with Taiwan, a relationship that has been facilitated by the US selling defence equipment to Taiwan’s military despite China’s disapproval[4]. This paper, therefore, discusses the events that have characterised the tension between the two countries and analyses the impact they have had on the principle of democracy in global politics.

History of China-Taiwan Conflict

The relationship between Taiwan and China had a marked improvement in the 80s after China enticed Taiwan with a formula that guaranteed Taiwan’s autonomy under the condition that it accepts reunification with the Chinese – a formula that Taiwan rejected [5]. Despite this initiative, Taiwan continued its democratic journey holding its first legislative election in 1992 and later its first presidential election in 1996 after years of martial law[6]. The recent hostility was however rekindled following Donald Trump’s election. The then-president of the US and president of Taiwan made an informal agreement which marked the beginning of the US supplying Taiwan with defence weapons and taking a stand against China[7]. After Donald Trump’s term ended, the relations were maintained by the Biden Administration, which time and again sends a delegation to visit the island, again making a reassurance over its commitment to the Taiwan government[8]. These engagements took place despite China’s open disapproval, and as such, this chain of events was therefore responsible for the rekindled hostility between China and Taiwan, resulting in the recent military intimidation witnessed in Taiwan.

The Impact of China’s Interests in Taiwan on Global Politics

The tension between the two countries has reduced the involvement and impact of Taiwan in regional and international bodies. Democracy has become a part of the wider society and individuals experiencing it might not realise the benefits that come with it. Historically, societies that attain democracy have been marked with improved living conditions, more resources and the power that allows states to have an opinion in decisions that affect the world[9]. China has actively undermined Taiwan’s democratic privileges by actively ensuring its non-involvement in regional and international bodies. Of significance is China’s rejection of Taiwan’s participation in any UN agency or any international organisation that has a limitation on the number of member states[10]. The impact of this kind of move on global politics is therefore the tension that has been created between the countries that support Taiwan’s recognition as an independent state and those that are against such moves. As a result, no government has been able to maintain diplomatic ties with both countries simultaneously, with only 15 countries having officially proclaimed diplomatic ties with Taiwan to date[11].

The China-Taiwan crisis is an example of the global retrogression that democracy is facing in the recent past. Berg-Sørensen is concerned with whether contemporary political theory can prevent this crisis in democracy [12]. Contemporary political theory has traditionally focused on institutions and laws and has not considered the impact of the subtle dynamics between power and ethics[13]. The dynamics between power and ethics can be seen in China’s actions of intimidation towards Taiwan. This includes Chinese hacking groups sabotaging Taiwanese government agencies and official email accounts, mining government information, suspending cross-strait communication equipment, restricting the number of tourists visiting from the mainland and now intruding Taiwan airspace with warplanes [14].  This displays a lack of recognition of the Taiwan democracy by China, regardless of agreements between the two countries and Taiwan conducting independent elections [15]. Frega, therefore, believed that the world is at the beginning of an era characterised by state and citizen disenchantment with political processes including democratic processes [16]. A good example being China’s disregard for Taiwan’s democracy which is now contributing to the disenchantment of democracy by the general population.

Conclusion

The efforts that China has put against Taiwan to push the agenda of the reunification of Taiwan with China have therefore undermined the principles of democracy in present day politics. The efforts have also been responsible for the political division among countries that support Taiwan’s autonomy and those who support China’s claim on Taiwan. Through the use of influence and power, China has disregarded the democracy of Taiwan and through this, they have undermined the principle of democracy in modern politics. The events proving Frega’s observation that the world political landscape is increasingly shunning inclusive politics, equality, and preferring authority to autonomy. This will continually degrade the power of political institutions and governments. The outcome of this standoff will therefore be closely monitored globally because of the weight it holds on the efforts to protect the principles of democracy.

Bibliography

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NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?” BBC News. May 26, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34729538.

Maizland, Lindsay. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, May 10, 2021. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-relations-tension-us-policy.

[1] NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?” BBC News. May 26, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34729538.

[2] Shweta, Sharma. “China Warns Global Conflict over Taiwan ‘May Be Triggered at Any Time’.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, October 7, 2021. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/china-taiwan-world-war-biden-b1933106.html.

[3] Lindsay, Maizland. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, May 10, 2021. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-relations-tension-us-policy.

[4]   NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?”

[5]    NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?” BBC News. May 26, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34729538.

[6]  Lindsay, Maizland. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.”

[7] NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?”

[8]  NEWS, BBC. “What’s behind the China-Taiwan Divide?”

[9] Roberto, Frega. Pragmatism and the wide view of democracy. Gewerbestrasse, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.

[10]Maizland, Lindsay. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, May 10, 2021. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-relations-tension-us-policy.

[11]  Lindsay, Maizland. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.”

[12] Anders, Berg-Sørensen. “Democracy and goodness: A historicist political theory.” Contemporary Political Theory (2019): 1-4.

[13] Berg-Sørensen, Anders. “Democracy and goodness:

[14] Lindsay, Maizland. “Why China-Taiwan Relations Are so Tense.”

[15] Shweta, Sharma. “China Warns Global Conflict over Taiwan ‘May Be Triggered at Any Time’.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, October 7, 2021. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/china-taiwan-world-war-biden-b1933106.html.

[16] Roberto, Frega. Pragmatism and the wide view of democracy. Gewerbestrasse, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.