Geopolitics, the debate

Taiwan, a strategic issue of the first order (Part. 1)

Revue Diplomatie N° 113, 2022: “Taiwan, the Chinese threat”.

© Journal Diplomacy

By: Marie-France Chatin Follow

2 mins

In Asia probably more than elsewhere, the fate of Ukraine is seen as that which could happen to Taiwan.

Of course, Taiwan is not really Ukraine.

The latter is not part of NATO, while the former Formosa, which does not benefit from a defense agreement with the USA, is nonetheless bound by multiple security agreements with Washington.

After the pitiful withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the aggression of Ukraine by Russia, US President Joe Biden recalled that in the event of an attack, the United States could intervene, or even intervene, militarily.

On the one hand, Beijing speaks of a “rebel island”.

On the other hand, Washington affirms its firm opposition to any attempt to change the status quo.

This shows how dangerous any movement can be.

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Taiwan, 36,000 square kilometers or half of Ireland, but five times more populated;

23.5 million inhabitants, 20th world economic power, 180 km east of the Chinese coast.

A source of fragility for the security of the “middle empire”.

An unbearable challenge for Beijing.

By its very existence as an alternative model that is more successful in most areas than “socialism with Chinese characteristics”.

And a strategic issue of the first order.

Taiwan is located in the center of the line of archipelagos which bars China's access to the large maritime areas between Japan and the Philippines, both allies of the United States.  

Guests: 

  • Valérie Niquet,

    specialist in international relations and strategic issues in Asia at the Foundation for Strategic Research.

    “ 

    Taiwan versus China.

    Towards war?

     » published by Tallandier. 

  • Mathieu Duchatel,

    director of the Asia program at Institut Montaigne.

    “ 

    2022: year of war for Taiwan?

     ".

  • Marc Julienne,

    head of China activities at the Asia Center of IFRI.

    " 

    Beijing: Taiwan's Worst and Best Enemy

     " Foreign Policy Summer 2021.  

DIPLOMACY Review N° 113: “Taiwan, the Chinese threat”.

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  • Taiwan

  • United States

  • Joe Biden

  • China

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