U.S. Must Withdraw from China-Taiwan Relations

When “turning to the future” and “striving for peace” became the consensus between China and Taiwan, the U.S.’s gradual withdrawal from cross-strait relations was already on the agenda.

Recently, China’s premier Wen Jiabao offered some advice on cross-strait relations. “Turn to the future, forgive and forget, cooperate closely, and move forward together,” he said. Taiwan’s president Ma Ying-jeou also hopes that both sides will “look forward” and not repeat the violent struggles of the past. This shows that leaders from both sides are in unanimous agreement on China’s future. It is obvious that both sides are getting closer and will eventually unite. At this time, people will naturally turn their attention to the major external factor that will influence development in cross-strait relations – the U.S.

Most people admit that in the past year, China, Taiwan, and the U.S. have achieved an unprecedented “Win-Win-Win” situation. One of the reasons for this momentum is that the U.S.’s “lead role” in cross-strait relations has been diminishing. Richard C. Bush, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, said that in the past year, major events in cross-strait relations have been happening in Beijing and Taipei, in the absence of Washington’s shadow. Alan D. Romberg, one of the most famous U.S. scholars in cross-strait relations, stated that in the past, we were all talking about Taiwan essentially being independent. Now, along with the “Three Links” and economic integration, we have to admit that both sides of the strait are essentially becoming “One China.” Insightful U.S. scholars also admit that in accordance with the general trend, both sides of the strait will eventually be under the rule of one country. In this situation, the U.S. must plan a schedule for withdrawing from cross-strait relations and devise some practical measures for doing so.

Taiwan has always been America’s strategic chess piece, and the U.S. will not simply let it slip away. However, the strategic use of this chess piece has dwindled, and it will be much harder for the U.S. to use this chess piece to maintain a so-called “balance” in cross-strait relations. If the current trend continues, it will probably be hard to use this chess piece to restrain China and achieve balance. The U.S. has always benefited most from the “no war, no peace” stalemate between China and Taiwan, but this type of situation is also gradually losing its staying power. The development in U.S.-China relations has made Taiwan’s bargaining power weaker and weaker. We can say that the U.S.’s strategic use of Taiwan has reached a crossroads – an important time for change.

Because Taiwan’s issues involve many U.S. interest groups, some people in the U.S. Congress and military will not change easily, especially at this time of adjustment. Their reaction may be much more intense. Recently, some members of Congress have continually announced that Taiwan is an important model of democracy for the world and that they hope to influence China’s politics through Taiwan. In addition, the Pentagon has never given up on its strategic plan to use Taiwan to keep China in check. Members of Taiwan’s independence movement are on the point of stirring up trouble. However, in the end, Americans will understand that since both sides are coming together and passing the point of no return, how much more could the U.S. benefit from throwing a wrench between China and Taiwan?

The withdrawal of the U.S. from cross-strait relations does not mean that China wants to drive the U.S. out of Asia or that China wants to hurt U.S. interests in China and Asia. As long as the Taiwan independence movement or other countries do not make trouble, no one is willing to see people suffer. If the U.S. really wants to deal with Asia, which is completely different from the way it was in the Cold War; adjust its strategy regarding Asia; and, according to Zbigniew Brzezinski, carefully change from its position of supremacy to a self-sustaining international system; then the U.S. must learn how to gradually withdraw from China-Taiwan relations.

History proves that China’s unification is the inevitable result of each attempt to secede. Whenever foreign forces come to China for evil purposes, they have a difficult time resisting the strength of the Chinese. The U.S. should understand this and should not become a barrier to China’s advancement. In terms of issues with Taiwan, the U.S. must have far-sighted wisdom and should not try to play petty tricks on trivial matters. Finding a practical plan for gradual withdrawal from cross-strait affairs would be a rational choice of historic significance and would be most suitable for the U.S.’s strategic interests.