What Is the China Taiwan Conflict? The History and Present Day Scenario

Source-Times Of India

Conflicts between China and Taiwan have historically been of great concern to both Taiwan and the rest of the globe. Learn everything there is to know about their interactions, the role of the US, and how the tensions affect the rest of the world. 

The Conflict

The issue at hand in the confrontation between China and Taiwan is Taiwan's political status. The conflict began in 1945, with the transfer of control over Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China following the Second World War, and the subsequent split between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC) as a result of the Chinese Civil War. 

                

Taiwan is a country on an island. The "first island chain" includes it. Some of the first island chain's territories are friendly to the US. These US-friendly regions are very significant from a foreign policy standpoint for the US. 

 

China's southeast coast lies around 100 miles away from the island nation of Taiwan. Taiwan currently has a unique constitution. The population of the nation is democratically elected, and there are about 300,000 active military personnel 

 

Why Does China Want to Control Taiwan? How Does China View Taiwan?

Simply put, the dragon views the island country as a breakaway province that the latter seeks to subdue.  President Xi Jinping of China stated that "reunification with Taiwan must be fulfilled" and that, if necessary, force would be used to achieve this goal. 

 

If China conquered Taiwan, it will also have enormous control over the global computer chip market. Companies that do not comply will be barred from doing business in China. In order to bolster Beijing's position, China enacted a national security statute in Hong Kong the same year. 

Source-The Guardian

Armed Forces Comparison

After the United States, China is the country that spends the most money on defense. Its defense capabilities include a wide spectrum of improvements in defense, such as missile technology, naval power, cyber-attacks, and aircraft. 

There is a huge discrepancy in the defense capabilities of the two countries, with China far superior to Taiwan. Experts believe Taiwan can slow certain Chinese attacks and prevent harm, but it will require the assistance of its allies. The United States is a great source of hope. Taiwan receives arms sales from the United States. 

 

Is Taiwan Still Hopeful?

China seeks to achieve its "reunification" goal primarily through military methods. Needless to say, China is extremely proud of its superior military forces. In comparison to Taiwan's military force, China has a substantial advantage. 

 

To date, Washington has maintained its "strategic ambiguity" strategy, which indicates that the US is purposefully remaining vague on whether or not to support Taiwan. 

 

The United States maintains its "One-China policy" diplomatically. The policy recognizes just one Chinese government, which is based in the capital of Beijing. 

 

As a result, the United States has formal relations with China rather than the island republic of Taiwan. Nonetheless, the US has pledged to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons in the event of a military attack. 

 

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has changed some dynamics between the US and China for the worse. Beijing condemns the visit as “extremely dangerous”. 

 

Source-The Japan Times

The spiking tensions caused in the aftermath of the visit have strained the relations between Washington and Beijing. The US-China relations are on the precipice after the visit of the Speaker. 

 

Following US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China launched ballistic missiles near the island nation as part of massive military drills. 

 

China launched 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles near Taiwan's northeast and southwest shores. This is the People's Liberation Army's greatest missile test in decades near Taiwan's shores. 

 

The drills were due to end on August 7th, but China isn't ready to call it quits just yet. Even the next day, August 8, the country continued with its military activities. 

 

China attempted to intensify pressure on Taiwan last year by launching military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Zone. This zone is a self-designated area for identifying, monitoring, and controlling alien aircraft. 

 

What Do People of Taiwan Think?

According to a Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation survey done in 2021, despite the severe tensions between the two countries, the people of Taiwan seem unconcerned. 

 

Furthermore, the majority of the population believes that a military conflict between the nations is unlikely. 

 

According to early 1990s studies, the number of persons identifying as Chinese or as belonging to both nations has declined, indicating that a growing number of people consider themselves exclusively Taiwanese. 

 

Having said that, some Taiwanese are concerned about their country's reliance on China. Another group of Taiwanese people believe that closer business links with China would decrease the chances of China militarily attacking the country.  

 

Not to miss, the “Sunflower Movement” is an important movement in this context. The movement sparked in 2014 as a result of a controversial trade agreement.

Students and activists protested against China’s growing influence over Taiwan in Taiwan’s parliament. Now, the ruling DPP party is of the view that supports formal independence while on the other hand, KMT favors unification with China. 

 
Written By- Ajit Chaudhary
Edited By- Akshita Bist