The Taiwan Effect – China re-evaluates its relations with the US
Mihaela PADUREANU
February 3, 2010
Mihaela PADUREANU
February 3, 2010
The US` s decision to sell military equipment to Taiwan was the main reason for China to cancel the military-to-military cooperation with the US for 2010. Other effects include: summoning the American ambassador to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for explanations regarding the arms deal, sanctions against the American companies that are involved in carrying out the deal. (BBC News, New York Times, Times of India)
China’s reaction to US` s determination to provide arms to Taiwan has been a fast and enraged one. The arms package includes: 114 Patriot interceptor missiles, 12 Harpoon missiles, 60 Black Hawk helicopters, communication equipment (for Taiwan`s F-16) and two refurbished minesweepers. F-16 jets will not be included in the package although they were requested by Taiwan. China considers Taiwan an internal affair and that is why US`s decision has been viewed as interference “into China’s internal affairs” and a decision that „seriously endangers China’s national security and harms China’s peaceful reunification efforts” by the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, He Yafei. What are the „peaceful reunification efforts” remains to be seen as long as China maintains force between the instruments that might be used to Taiwan. It was made very clear the fact that this deal is seen as direct challange to its national security. Taiwan is perceived as national problem, therefore there is nothing to be discussed or negotiate. Shared security should be based on shared interests but those interests it seems that are not identified.
Taiwan - US arms deal has been based on the Taiwan Relations Act, since 1979. For Taiwan the deal assures confidence and security and also the possibility to have „more interactions with China”, said the President Ma Ying-jeou. Maintaining a military balance in the region, as US wishes with this deal, may not be obtained. There is a difference between how China was in 1979 and how China is in 2010. During the Cold War China could use the context to obtain more advantages for itself from US or from USSR. Taiwan could be debated with more effectiveness then. The system was more stable and that is why the decision-making was easier. The China from 2010 has to get used to its own status in the region and with the responsabilities that come with this new position, including the way in which the international system`s institutions can be used. In the same time US has another position in the area. It might not be anymore the first choice for the countries in the region. Now there are more options for China and its behavior might not be easy to predict. It is not necessary to choose between two actors anymore, China can build its own way. That is why every possible partnership in Asia should be seen as an opportunity to maintain the role that US used to have. China`s rise may not be stopped by arming Taiwan because China may find new allies. Its economic power has begun to influence its military capabilities.
The economic sanctions, announced by the Chinese administration for the American companies should be sustained on international law, as was the case when US sanctioned the Chinese companies that dispensed arms to Pakistan. In this way China might prove that is willing to cooperate to the international community.
This measure shows that China feels threaten and its reaction may be tough this time. A few days after the deal China tested its first land-based missile defense system. Official the test targed no country. In the same time it was a way to ensure punishment to the side that might strike China.
Military modernization- was a goal announced by China and proved by its defense budget. In the same time, it builds military bases beyond Pacific, and increases influence in Africa. This are sigs that China seeks a change of status. For how long can US balance China`s rise and be engaged in the region? Until now the People’s Liberation Army it had not moved the hundreds missile launchers that are pointed at Taiwan but things may change although an armed conflict seems improbably.
China can try to be the main actor in the region. The methodes to deal with this situation should be based on trust building and cooperation. Building alliances around China may make this feel isolated and may incline to have a closer relation with non-democratic regimes like those in Sudan and Myanmar.
China’s reaction to US` s determination to provide arms to Taiwan has been a fast and enraged one. The arms package includes: 114 Patriot interceptor missiles, 12 Harpoon missiles, 60 Black Hawk helicopters, communication equipment (for Taiwan`s F-16) and two refurbished minesweepers. F-16 jets will not be included in the package although they were requested by Taiwan. China considers Taiwan an internal affair and that is why US`s decision has been viewed as interference “into China’s internal affairs” and a decision that „seriously endangers China’s national security and harms China’s peaceful reunification efforts” by the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, He Yafei. What are the „peaceful reunification efforts” remains to be seen as long as China maintains force between the instruments that might be used to Taiwan. It was made very clear the fact that this deal is seen as direct challange to its national security. Taiwan is perceived as national problem, therefore there is nothing to be discussed or negotiate. Shared security should be based on shared interests but those interests it seems that are not identified.
Taiwan - US arms deal has been based on the Taiwan Relations Act, since 1979. For Taiwan the deal assures confidence and security and also the possibility to have „more interactions with China”, said the President Ma Ying-jeou. Maintaining a military balance in the region, as US wishes with this deal, may not be obtained. There is a difference between how China was in 1979 and how China is in 2010. During the Cold War China could use the context to obtain more advantages for itself from US or from USSR. Taiwan could be debated with more effectiveness then. The system was more stable and that is why the decision-making was easier. The China from 2010 has to get used to its own status in the region and with the responsabilities that come with this new position, including the way in which the international system`s institutions can be used. In the same time US has another position in the area. It might not be anymore the first choice for the countries in the region. Now there are more options for China and its behavior might not be easy to predict. It is not necessary to choose between two actors anymore, China can build its own way. That is why every possible partnership in Asia should be seen as an opportunity to maintain the role that US used to have. China`s rise may not be stopped by arming Taiwan because China may find new allies. Its economic power has begun to influence its military capabilities.
The economic sanctions, announced by the Chinese administration for the American companies should be sustained on international law, as was the case when US sanctioned the Chinese companies that dispensed arms to Pakistan. In this way China might prove that is willing to cooperate to the international community.
This measure shows that China feels threaten and its reaction may be tough this time. A few days after the deal China tested its first land-based missile defense system. Official the test targed no country. In the same time it was a way to ensure punishment to the side that might strike China.
Military modernization- was a goal announced by China and proved by its defense budget. In the same time, it builds military bases beyond Pacific, and increases influence in Africa. This are sigs that China seeks a change of status. For how long can US balance China`s rise and be engaged in the region? Until now the People’s Liberation Army it had not moved the hundreds missile launchers that are pointed at Taiwan but things may change although an armed conflict seems improbably.
China can try to be the main actor in the region. The methodes to deal with this situation should be based on trust building and cooperation. Building alliances around China may make this feel isolated and may incline to have a closer relation with non-democratic regimes like those in Sudan and Myanmar.
