US Stake in China-Taiwan Relations

There is no denying that China’s power is rapidly growing. If we use a realistic point of view and assume that the United States is the world’s current hegemonic power, China can only be viewed as a threat to this unipolar system in place. The US must tread carefully in order not to upset China, especially when it comes to delicate issues like Taiwan.

Taiwan, or the Republic of China, has been separate from China (the People’s Republic of China, a communist regime) since 1949, and the end Chinese Civil War, when the Nationals (the ROC) fled to Taiwan after the Communist takeover. Both the ROC and the PRC lay claim to all of China - that is, the mainland and the island of Taiwan. Due to the PRC’s advantage from sheer size and additional power, the ROC (from here on - Taiwan) has had no official seat in the UN since 1971. China has also decreed that it will not have formal relations with any country that formally recognizes Taiwan. Since China is such an economic powerhouse, the United States (and other countries) can hardly afford to ignore this sanction.

Taiwan’s potential bid for total independence will be in vain until China agrees to cooperate. Taiwan cannot achieve status as an independent sovereign state because of China’s influence in the UN and its permanent position on the Security Council. If Taiwan claims independence, China has threatened the use of military force, which is no small threat. China’s population of 1.3 billion alone is enough to intimidate Taiwan’s 23 million inhabitants.

Despite this, China remains one of Taiwan’s largest exporters, as Taiwan is a key trader in Asia.

Enter the United States. In a perfect world, this hegemon wouldn’t have to worry excessively about the ties between China and Taiwan. However, due to China’s rising economic prowess, the US must be able to showcase its power without causing offense to a possible hegemonic usurper.

A recent example of US involvement in Taiwan while treading carefully around China was featured in the New York Times. The United States passed a bill in 1979 mandating that it supply Taiwan with sufficient munitions to defend itself. The Obama administration has decided to forgo giving Taiwan new F-16’s and is opting to instead upgrade their air force fleet, which was given to them in 1992 by the first Bush administration. To many, this seems as though the US is catering to China, since China disapproves of any arms trades with Taiwan.

Many assume that the United States’ subtler support of Taiwan is fed by a “nervous hegemon” phenomenon. In Kennedy’s article in Asian Survey, a basis for argument is that the United States simply has to be content with Taiwan’s de facto independence from China, as the possible consequences for supporting Taiwan outright could involve economic alienation - a huge problem - or unwanted military conflict. This would upset the United States’ stability as the perceived hegemon, and increase China’s threat.

A lot of this diplomacy involves veiled threats, especially with China. By creating assumptions through a realistic viewpoint, China trusts neither the United States or Taiwan. Taiwan’s building up of their military force with US help enforces Taiwanese security, which has the potential to scare China. By creating stability for itself, Taiwan also creates international instability.

It can be argued that the US also uses these strained Cross-Strait ties to its advantage. By supporting Taiwan, the US takes away a piece of China’s power - essentially, the hegemon is attempting to keep the other countries in line. Another reason for the US to support Taiwan is their more capitalist setup, whereas China still operates under a Communist government. By playing the role of benefactor to a societal structure more similar to their own, the United States is ensuring that they have support.

The example in the New York Times article also displays realism in action. Not only is the United States catering to one of its perceived threats; it is also keeps Taiwan at a disadvantage in Cross-Strait relations by not selling them the F-16’s. Recent Chinese military buildup has created a definite Chinese edge in military superiority. By assisting the Taiwanese military in a more confined manner, the US simultaneously prevents a smaller player on the global stage from advancing too far.

Collectively, the US-China-Taiwan relationship is an excellent case study for realistic theorists. However, there are still some issues to be addressed; specifically, why is it so important to China to attempt to retain some hold of Taiwan? This could possibly be answered by taking a look at the volatile relationship between the US and China, along with China’s recent ascent to power. Modern events cannot explain everything, as history and cultural identity also play heavily into China’s relationship with Taiwan. By just using the narrow lens that realists provide, we miss out on some of the driving factors behind this IR phenomenon.

Kennedy, Andrew Bingham. "China's Perceptions of U.S. Intentions toward Taiwan: How Hostile a Hegemon?." Asian Survey. 47.2 (2007): 268-87. Print.

Landler, Mark. "No New F-16's for Taiwan, but U.S. to Upgrade Fleet." New York Times 18 Sep 2011. n. pag. Web. 20 Sep. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/world/asia/us-decides-against-selling-f-16s-to-taiwan.html?_r=1&ref=asia>.


"Taiwan country profile." The British Broadcasting Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sep 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1285915.stm>.