Thursday, December 12, 2013

Test your US Taiwan policy knowledge

Love this spot. Past it is nothing but gorgeous views.

Noted political scientist John Mersheimer recently gave a talk on Taiwan's future in a world where China's growth has never stopped and China is now a hyper-power. The talk is a fantasy and entertaining as far as it goes, but it contains this statement...
...The “Anti-­‐Secession Law,” which China passed in 2005, says explicitly that “the state shall employ non-­‐peaceful means and other necessary measures” if Taiwan moves toward de jure independence. It is also worth noting that the United States does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country, and according to President Obama, Washington “fully supports a one-­‐China policy.”
Anyone spot the apparent error? Click READ ME below for the answer.

Washington's One China policy does not include Taiwan.
_______________________
Don't miss the comments below! And check out my blog and its sidebars for events, links to previous posts and picture posts, and scores of links to other Taiwan blogs and forums!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did Obama really say "fully supports"? USG is always screwing up the nuance of 'acknowledge'.

Since it's always worth quoting: "In the U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communique that announced the change, the United States recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. "

Readin said...

No good quoting the TRA. So long as Obama is in office the law is what he says it is and nothing else.

Michael Turton said...

Not quoting TRA Readin. Quoting US policy since 1952.

Readin said...

My mistake. The language is similar enough to the TRA that assumed that was the source without reading it all carefully.