The Japan Times reports that incoming Japanese Prime Minister Abe has already been warned by China not to get too close to Taiwan.
China has warned Japan's new government over its Taiwan policy, reiterating its opposition to including the island in the scope of the Japan-U.S. security alliance and urging Tokyo to act with caution over Taipei's invitation for former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to pay a visit.If the Japan-U.S. security alliance "exceeds the bilateral scope, it will trigger neighboring countries' worries and become a factor for instability and complexity in the regional security situation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday at a news conference.
"We firmly oppose including China and China's Taiwan in the scope of the Japan-U.S. security arrangement, either directly or indirectly, as it would constitute the infringement of China's sovereignty," Qin said, speaking after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe named his first Cabinet on Tuesday.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and says it would attack if the self-ruled island formally declares its independence and permanent separation from the mainland.
Qin also opposed Taiwan's invitation for Koizumi to visit for the opening of a high-speed train service involving Japanese technology, saying Beijing is against "separatist activities by the Taiwan authorities under any excuse."
Fascinating that the thugs in Beijing regard opening a train line as a "separatist activity." Koizumi's visit is welcome news; I wish we could get a former US president over here to speak in favor of Taiwan's democracy. Or even in favor of a train line. One thing China's new pre-emptive verbal strike shows is how much Tokyo's drift toward Taiwan is riling Beijing. US policymakers might be able to talk themselves out of defending Taiwan if America is the only nation involved in the island's defense, but if Japan is intent on defending Taiwan as well, it will become very hard for US policymakers to squirm out of their political and moral commitments.
[Taiwan] (hat tip to Kaminoge Jim just down the road apiece. Stop by sometime!)
Michael,
ReplyDeleteA general question: How much wriggle room does the 1979 TRA have? Could you clarify how the US might be able to justify not directly defending Taiwan in the worst-case scenario? I get this question all the time in class, and since I tend to focus on centuries past, I fear my answers are not always the best. Thanks!
The key section is SECTION 3:
ReplyDeleteSEC. 3. (a) In furtherance of the policy set forth in section 2 of this Act, the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.
(b) The President and the Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of such defense articles and services based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan, in accordance with procedures established by law. Such determination of Taiwan's defense needs shall include review by United States military authorities in connection with recommendations to the President and the Congress.
(c) The President is directed to inform the Congress promptly of any threat to the security or the social or economic system of the people on Taiwan and any danger to the interests of the United States arising therefrom. The President and the Congress shall determine, in accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate action by the United States in response to any such danger.
Note that (a) says that Taiwan must be provided with sufficient weapons, (b) says that the Prez and Congress shall solely define what "sufficient means". That "solely" means, essentially, that Taiwan plays no role -- it can't trigger anything, and it can't determine anything. Now read the second sentence of (c). It says only that the after the Prez has determined that something is wrong and has informed Congress, then the President and Congress will decide what to do. Note that Taiwan is not there, there is no trigger, and no promise to come to the aid of Taiwan if attacked. The TRA simply mandates a consultation between the Prez and Congress, and nothing else. It commits the US to nothing.
Michael