U. S. Snubs Taiwan To Favor Mainland China
Email This Post
- 
Print This Post
-
Did U. S. Swap Taiwan for China’s Help in North Korean Nuke Deal?
After more than a half century of fairly consistent favorable treatment and partiality the romance between the U. S. and Taiwan is changing. Evidence that this impassioned embrace is cooling off is the U.S. turn down of a Taiwan request to buy 66 late model F-16 fighters. These would have cost about $75 million each.
China had a conniption fit and the U. S. traded its 23 million Taiwanese friends who call themselves the Republic of China who have with U. S. help fortified themselves against the billions in the People’s Republic of China.
The fighter deal was strongly opposed by China, and the U.S. justified its refusal to sell the jets by pointing out that a newly elected, more pro-China government, in Taiwan, diminished the threat of a Chinese invasion.
It’s also possible that the U.S. is rewarding China for help in negotiations with North Korea over the North Korean nuclear weapons program. Then again, whoever really knows, isn’t talking.
Meanwhile, Taiwan will upgrade its current fighter fleet. Taiwan has a world class electronics industry, and can more easily import key electronics components, or military electronics.
In 1949, during the Chinese Civil War, the Kuomintang (KMT), led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated from Mainland China and moved the ROC government from Nanjing to Taipei, Taiwan’s largest city, while continuing to claim sovereignty over all of China, Outer Mongolia as well as other areas. In the 1990s Taiwan transformed into a true democracy. in the January 2008 legislative elections the KMT increased its lead in the legislature, while its nominee Ma Ying-jeou went on to win the presidency in March of the same year, campaigning on a platform of increased economic growth, and better ties with the Mainland China under a policy of “mutual nondenial”. Ma took office on May 20, 2008.
Taiwan is an island of about 13,000 square miles about half the size of Maine and lies 120 kilometers off the coast of China
Comment by Timothy E. Bradberry on 26 July 2008:
“The fighter deal was strongly opposed by China, and the U.S. justified its refusal to sell the jets by pointing out that a newly elected, more pro-China government, in Taiwan, diminished the threat of a Chinese invasion.”
“More pro-China government, in Taiwan”, that’s putting it mildly. The Chinese Nationalist (KMT) government of Ma Ying-jeou is literally in love with China, the motherland. Due to the continued influence in Taiwan of the above 60 mainlander crowd, who have memories of China and long for re-unification with her (as if Taiwan and China were ever unified in the first place, which was not the case) and due the KMT’s very effective indoctrination of the younger generations though its “government schools”, Taiwanese Identity has been suppressed and Taiwan is in danger of being absorbed by China.
In that context is it any wonder that the apparent threat of war has been lowered and the Chinese Communists have hoodwinked President Bush into holding off on the arm sales until after the Olympics:
http://www.its-usa.org/commshow.php?filename=20080724211943.txt
Timothy E. Bradberrys last blog post..The KMT and the Greening of Taiwan
Timothy E. Bradberrys last blog post..The KMT and the Greening of Taiwan
Comment by Bill Jencks on 27 July 2008:
Taiwan, in its current apparent love affair with mainland China, is trying to improve its economic situation merely by association. But I still believe that there is still great animosity between these governments. The mainland Communist cartel have always harboured a hatred for Taiwan, as it represents the last vestige of free democratic China and acts like a sharp thorn in the rump of the Communist government.
If we add that the US is currently falling over itself to please China(not least because the latter has threatened to dump all her US dollar reserves in response to America’s threat of taxing all Chinese imports…), and as a consequence the US has recently moved its support away from Taiwan and is indulging itself, cultivating friendly economic ties with China. The US is showing great weakness by doing this. So much for supporting other democracies….
And then there is America, currently in an economic mess at the moment. Therefore she is weakened economically now and it doesn’t look like she is going to repair herself quickly.
And there has always been the threat of war between mother China and her rebellious sibling, Taiwan.
I have read many things on the internet, but perhaps the most disturbing is the argument that since the US is so weak economically now(and therefore can’t support yet another war), perhaps America would be unable to protect Taiwan according to the 1979 Taiwan Relationship Treaty. Perhaps China has already struck a secret deal with America — and it goes something like this: “If you let us invade and take Taiwan, we wont trash your Almighty Dollar…”.
Even if you disagree with the above worst case scenario, can you afford not to think about it?
Politics is never a straight line. It is twisted, convoluted and ruthless. Anything that is so obvious is suspect.
Bear that in mind.
Comment by Timothy E. Bradberry on 27 July 2008:
Three quick counterpoints to Bill Jencks comment.
Firstly, there is not a love affair between Taiwan and China, only between the 15% of Taiwan’s population that trace their roots to the 1945-1949 Chinese Nationalists invaders. Those who voted for Ma and company are experiencing buyer’s (or is it seller’s - for some sold their vote) remorse.
Secondly, the KMT, with the help of the global situation, is bringing Taiwan down economically by, among other stupid policies, tying the island’s economy to the economic fate of the mainland. So it’s not just a US thing.
Thirdly, Taiwan is not China’s sibling. There again you are confusing the Nationalist with the people of Taiwan, 85% of which do not trace their roots back to the 1945-1949 Chinese invaders. The Formosans (for the island was called Formosa back when it was Japanese territory) from which the 85% are derived had no part in the Chinese Civil War, except for those conscripted by the Nationalists. The obligatory statement that Taiwan is a renegade province that split from China in 1949 is included in practically every news story about Taiwan and China simply because of Mao’s principal that if you repeat a lie enough times it eventually becomes the truth.
Timothy E. Bradberrys last blog post..Beijing’s Generating Real Air Pollution, Not Just Food for its Vegetation (CO2)
Comment by Bill Jencks on 27 July 2008:
You appear to have misread or misinterpreted alot of what I’ve written.
“Taiwan, in its current apparent love affair with mainland China..”
I was being sarcastic here when I said Taiwan’s “…apparent love affair…” etc. Here I was, in fact inferring directly the opposite(the rest of my last post should’ve told you that…). I am sorry you missed this emphasis - but I am European not American and I guess our sense of humor — or methods of emphasis — differ.
“…the KMT, with the help of the global situation, is bringing Taiwan down economically”
Perhaps this is true and is certainly contributing to their economic difficulties - but you cannot deny that America’s blocking of the plane purchase, and particularly their govt’s steady and desperate drift towards Chinese support(for reasons I’ve already given in last post) isn’t hurting Taiwan.
To the extent that, more and more, Taiwan - a democratic state or country in need of help, is slowly being deserted by the US.
Taiwan will stand alone against China, it seems.
This is the whole point of my last post and reply to your article.
Comment by Andrew on 27 July 2008:
I was wondering has anyone investigated the possibility that Taiwan may be aware of the vunerability of placing all their eggs in one basket in terms of relying solely on the U.S. in terms of military and moral support? As I have heard references to a pro Taiwan camp in the European parliament largely consisting of conservative European parties. I know for a fact the French can’t be counted on for providing Taiwan with any support as they are champing at the bit for the possibility of profiting in a Chinese invasion of Taiwan through selling weapons to the P.L.A. But there is a possibility that supporting a democratic Taiwan with its (comparitively) free media, openess on human rights and autonomous legal system is consistant with the ideals of the EU.
Comment by Bill Jencks on 27 July 2008:
Although I agree that Taiwan should be supported internationally, I think the voice and support of the EU will be minimal in this issue.
Simply because of the current economic climate. Climate change problems, credit problems, a crashing dollar, plumeting financial markets, soaring oil prices and food shortages.
These will be see as far more important, and so if a war or invasion of China starts - no one will rush to Taiwan’s side. After all, Taiwan isn’t even recognized as a separate country or state by the UN and has minimal representation in the US. Taiwan will be left out in the cold….
As to Andrew’s views on the French politicians and business men - what can I say ? - I’m English and I totally agree with his insight and views on the insidious international dealings of the French. Look how they behaved over Iraq; they were only protecting their business interests with Sadam, but took the moral high ground to bluff the world…
Soon, political correctness will become unaffordable. And it will be superceeded by crass nationalism and political ruthlessness. France
already has a substantial right wing nationalist opposition. Britain nd the rest of the EU are bound to follow.
Comment by richard cochrane on 27 July 2008:
Well looks like I’m not the only person watching the PRC-ROC-USA tectonic plates move. I confess the EU seems distant.
Comment by Timothy E. Bradberry on 28 July 2008:
As an American I’m a bit more literal that the Brits and perhaps less able to recognize sarcasm. So, I’m glad that my misreading of Bill’s post was not negatively reacted to. It was simply laziness in reading and thought on my part.
I missed commenting on Bill’s statement in the first post that,
“The mainland Communist cartel have always harboured a hatred for Taiwan, as it represents the last vestige of free democratic China and acts like a sharp thorn in the rump of the Communist government.”
As a son-in-law of Taiwan I think I have some insight into the Taiwanese and Chinese mindset. I am pretty sure there is no hatred between the Communist Chinese and the people of Taiwan, just lust for acquisition. The Chinese Communists reserve their hatred for the United States. The Communists also don’t much care for the Nationalists, of course. Also, there is lots of bad blood between the Taiwanese and the Nationalist Chinese.
Regarding Andrew’s comment I would think that the reason Taiwan has all its defensive eggs all in one basket is that it is the only basket that the Chinese Communist will allow (and that by concession). China has won the diplomatic war against Taiwan by suppressing recognition of the island’s independent status.
It is my understanding that only the US has a law that requires it to come to Taiwan’s aid (the Taiwan Relations Act) should China attack the island. Europeans can and have helped by freezing arm sales to China. That is a noble thing to do. Please keep it up.
Which brings me to a question about another of Bill’s statements:
“These will be seen as far more important, and so if a war or invasion of China starts - no one will rush to Taiwan’s side.”
Perhaps this was a Freudian slip, “if a war or invasion of China starts”, rather than “…of Taiwan”. Of course the US would not be bound by law to assist Taiwan in her attack of China. Not one I know thinks that that is the way a war in the Taiwan Strait would start. The KMT gave up the “take back China” mantra in 1991. There is no conceivable scenario in which Taiwan would be the aggressor.
For my experience with the Chinese mindset see this article:
http://www.its-usa.org/commshow.php?filename=20050513160018.txt
For my insight into how we are loosing on the diplomatic front see this article:
http://www.its-usa.org/commshow.php?filename=20071223121644.txt
Timothy E. Bradberrys last blog post..1976 all over again, pt3 - McCain’s Path to Victory
Comment by slowsmile on 28 July 2008:
Timothy,
Interesting to hear you describe the Taiwanese mindset in regard to China. And you were quite right concerning my sentence — in my statement of war with China — I did write that part badly. I, of course, meant China’s invasion of Taiwan. And having lived in Taiwan, you must have a far greater insight into their mindset and problems than I do.
But my worry has never been with Taiwan, so much as with China’s intentions with Taiwan and elsewhere. I have read many articles concerning the Chinese Communist governments intention to invade Taiwan before 2012. I’m sure that you are probably aware of this. I have followed recent China’s democratiztion and its economic rise avidly. And it is not what it seems.
Remember that China is run by a Communist government. This, coupled with the workings of the oriental mindset as well as from their past inhumanities could pose some large problems. From the many articles I’ve read, it appears that the Chinese Communists are paranoid about losing power due to the rapid democratization of the country.
But, like you’ve stated, The Chinese Communists(CC) hate America. It has been proposed by a high level Defence Minister in China, that they should go to war with America as a means of encouraging patriotism and therefore support for the Communist government again. As well as this, the Chinese would gain land for food, much needed by its growing population(now at 1.2 billion). It has been even suggested that the best means of covert attack is biological warfare via the US water supplies. If they pull this off, America would be confused. Who has attacked us? Osama Bin Laden? The Russians? or China?
I fully realize that this viewpoint is easy to argue against — perhaps even paranoid in itself. But China has a complete biological and nuclear capability now. China’s Navy is becoming huge and her land Forces now number over 3 million — that’s a helluva border patrol. Why is she increasing her Armed Forces so quickly?
I have lived for some years in the Philippines. Perhaps you can appreciate and see my concerns over Taiwan now. If China takes Taiwan, will the Chinese Communists stop there? Or will they just continue to invade and take the rest of the ASEAN countries one by one and perhaps even Japan? Undeniably, they certainly have the capability.
I do not beleive this view to be unrealistic or far fetched. If you consider the poor state of particularly the US economy now — just barely able to afford the wars in Afgahnistan and Iraq, if the Chinese patiently continue to weaken the US economy (via dumping all its dollar reserves),and judge it right then the scenario could become very grim indeed.
If this is to happen, then it will start after the Chinese Olympics. Between then and 2009 things will get much worse economically.
I certainly hope I’m wrong though, and would appreciate any reasoned disagreement…
Comment by slowsmile on 28 July 2008:
Just some evidence for my last entry above:
http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch/geo/pastanalysis/2007/0302.html
http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch/geo/pastanalysis/2007/0309.html