Taiwan Is Gradually Becoming a Burden to America

Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao published an article on April 6, written by Cai Yiru, a professor at Chinese Culture University, Taiwan. It said that in the foreseeable future — and barring exceptional circumstances — with China’s greatly enhanced comprehensive strength and international influence, Taiwan could become a burden to America instead of an asset. How is Taiwan going to adjust to this situation? It will certainly require an intelligent response.

Article excerpts are as follows:

On March 22, the Asian edition of Time magazine published an article predicting that the U.S. and China will form an indispensable new axis for global governance. The two countries will both compete and cooperate. Economic cooperation is the main aspect. However, the two sides will tussle over the issues related to their own interests. Although China participates in the international system, its main reason for doing so is to ensure its energy supplies, trade routes and regional security, in order to deal with all kinds of domestic problems. Just like Beijing says: China needs both a stable domestic and international environment so as to pursue development and solve problems.

The article also mentioned that America currently has neither the capability nor the intention to contain China. It warned America that, although there was no need to try to impress China, it was not necessary to relentlessly denigrate China either. At the moment, the biggest challenge for Washington is to encourage China, causing Beijing to support a free-market system, which could hugely benefit America while fostering a bilateral relationship that also meets “global values.” The U.S. remains unsure about the future direction of China. Washington’s long-standing policy still wants China to integrate within the international society. The U.S. position is always consistent.

According to a number of professionals who have been observing Sino-U.S. relations for a long time, there were no big mistakes in the content of the article. The U.S. policy toward China does have a considerable degree of consistency and continuity. In fact, we can simply summarize previous American administrations’ policies toward China as follows: First, America will expect China’s assistance and cooperation in various international affairs; second, America will continue to make an effort to develop a comprehensive and healthy relationship in competition and cooperation with China; third, Washington will persistently ask China to accept international norms.

Taiwan Issue No Longer Focal Point of Sino-U.S. Relations

Under this policy, the Obama administration will certainly continue to try to persuade China to play the role of a responsible stakeholder. America will also try to influence the direction of China’s development, strengthen multi-level communication with China and establish all kinds of dialogue mechanisms.

With regard to the U.S. and cross-strait relations, from Beijing’s standpoint, Taiwan is the only issue in Sino-U.S. relations. It seems quite appropriate that the article in Time Magazine talked only about Sino-U.S. relations and made no mention of the Taiwan issue. After all, the Taiwan issue involves China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as the people’s sensitivities. Any insensitive handling of these issues might cause unexpected problems, something that would be the least desirable for all concerned.

It is true that in current Sino-U.S. relations, the Taiwan issue is no longer the focus of mutual concern. The three communiqués and one act are certainly still at the core of the Obama administration’s policy toward cross-strait relations. The U.S. will stick to the one-China policy recognized by Washington, hoping to reduce tensions in cross-strait relations and encourage sustained dialogue. But Washington expects to control relevant issues. In short, from America’s point of view, although cross-strait relations can be improved, America does not want to gain this at the cost of its own political, economic or strategic interests, nor regional stability.

United, China and U.S. Benefit; Divided, Both Will Suffer

On the whole, the pattern of Sino-U.S. relations will be that unity is good for all and that separation causes harm and confrontation, making both sides losers. America will make good use of multilateralism, soft power and smart power to develop relations with China. The U.S. will continue to use the Taiwan issue, trying to influence and balance China’s development.

Conversely, we have also found a subtle change in China’s attitude toward the United States. Although America has recognized China as a great power, it was always disappointed with this and has complained about it in the past, hoping that relations between Taiwan and the mainland would not cause any trouble or create any unfortunate incidents. But now, Beijing does not tolerate this anymore. It warned America not to be the one to create any unfortunate incidents as the U.S. deals with international affairs and cross-strait relations. Obviously, to some extent, the shift in the balance of power between America and China has played a role in changing bilateral relations.

In the foreseeable future, unless special circumstances arise, considering China’s greatly enhanced comprehensive strength, its international influence and its substantial growth momentum, instead of being an asset to America, Taiwan may become a burden. How Taiwan will adjust to these changes in Sino-U.S. relations and cross-strait relations in terms of integration and interaction certainly requires great wisdom and further thought.