By Forgoing Shanghai, the U.S Views Taiwan as a Quasi-Ally

According to the Department of State, the reason the United States chose Taiwan as a middle stop for citizen withdrawal is based on convenience and economic concerns, not on other special consideration. By forgoing China, with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations, and flying a longer distance to Taipei, Taiwan instead reveals the stability and closeness between Taiwan and the United States. Apparently, the U.S sees Taiwan as a quasi-ally.

Commentators on international affairs conceded that Taiwan was part of the plan for citizen withdrawal. Seoul and Shanghai are normally the priorities; after all, Taiwan does not have a diplomatic relation with the United States. Hence, three days ago when AIT made the request, the Taiwanese government immediately accepted with great surprise and excitement. Although the movement was called humanitarian assistance, the Chinese government still was not happy about it. Therefore, both sides decided to keep it low key.

As evident from the history between the U.S. and Taiwan, a triangular relationship exists. Under the preconditions from China regarding this formation, the possibility of sensitive arms sales between the U.S. and Taiwan developed as shown by arm deals involving the F-16 C/D Stealth Jet and submarines. However, these specific deals caused concern for China and now Taiwan and the U.S. can only continue in their relationship with arms upgrading and supplemental parts to alleviate China’s concerns. Hesitation still exists on the part of China due to breaking through the first island chain. Insensitive issues such as international trade, visa waivers and extradition agreements would put the U.S. and Taiwan back to active practical negotiation; as long as it is based on sincere principals so that even without any concessions to China, the result would not be failure. While beef imports remains a heated issue because the U.S. supposedly broke the original commitment, the U.S. will simply deal with each issue separately in order to focus on economic interests.

As the global climate changes, humanitarian assistance becomes a new variable for the three sides. During the Aug. 8, 2009 floods, U.S. military forces were involved with the rescue effort; after the earthquake in Haiti, Taiwanese jets were given consent to pass through. Under the flag of humanitarian assistance, China does not have much room to object. However, Taiwan should not make it a big deal or the U.S would be embarrassed and therefore harm interactions among the three sides of this fragile triangle.

Taiwan viewed this temporary assistance of citizen withdrawals as a test opportunity; looking at the outcome, relevant units show they have the abilities to take control of the situation. Furthermore, the U.S. will be more confident in Taiwan and therefore will warm up the bilateral relationship. The quasi-alliance is unspoken in the current situation; the triangular relationship already has its requirements.