The article linked above discusses
a proposal by China to unify with Taiwan under a “one nation, two parties”
system. The proposal from the communist country to their democratic neighbor is
an interesting move that could be for a variety of reasons. The approach at
reunification is peaceful when China could easily outmuscle Taiwan instead. I
would argue that China is attempting to gain security in their move to unify
while maintaining legitimacy within the international community.
Currently in the Hong Kong region
of China there are protests in an effort to stop Beijing from limiting
candidates for Hong Kong elections to only candidates that are Beijing
approved. Beijing is attempting to impose control over the region by
undermining its democracy. It is strange then that at the same time Beijing is
attempting to put down a democratic revolt within its own borders that it is
reaching out to Taiwan to unify under the guise that it could maintain its
autonomy. China sees a threat from democracy in Hong Kong. The capitol’s effort
to manipulate the democracy shows an unwillingness to part with control of the
region willingly and the fact that protests have turned violent with 34 deaths
today, September 28, in fighting between police and protestors. If China sees democracy
as a threat to its power then it would seem an obvious move for Beijing to seek
to gain control in Taiwan which itself is began as a splinter region for
pro-democracy Chinese after the country became a communist nation. China has
the military strength to take Taiwan by force, so why wouldn’t it? China wants
to save face in the international community.
Chinese tensions with the United
States are no secret. The two powers have different styles of governance and
pose a threat to one another in the economic sphere as well as the military
sphere. China is a major backer of North Korea and Russia, two countries the
United States have sanctioned heavily. But China has not taken open military
action against democracy beyond its own borders and has been able to maintain
decent relationships with other countries because of its militarily
non-aggressive policies. An attempt to take Taiwan by force could greatly
damage China’s reputation in the international community and it could come to
be seen as a bully like Russia and the United States. Sanctions like those
currently coming down on Russia for its action in the Ukraine or North Korea
for its numerous human rights violations could come to be directed at China. China
would like to avoid such a situation.
In a time when other superpowers
are occupied with other matters China stands to benefit from keeping itself out
of the fray. The proposal of “one nation, two systems” to Taiwan would have
helped China regain territory and influence over the Taiwanese democracy had
Taiwan accepted. The move was peaceful and would have kept China out of trouble
with the United Nations and the United States. It was a calculated effort by
China; however, Taiwan chose to decline the offer and maintain complete
autonomy. In my opinion Taiwan made the right call if it wants to remain a
republic.
I like your topic Matthew! This concept applies to realism. As you mentioned, democracy is a threat to the communist Chinese government, so they are going to whatever they can to neutralize the threat in an anarchic system in order to survive. As Taiwan does not know what China is going to do, Taiwan has to reject the offer to play it safe and maintain their own autonomy.
ReplyDeleteHi Matthew:
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting article. I agree that Taiwan made the right call in declining the proposal made by China. It is very ironic to say the least that China is quieting down protests in Hong Kong while at the same time trying to compromise with a democracy (Taiwan). This situation can only further hurt China's relations with the west further. I commend China's non-aggressive policies towards outside countries, however, their IR is a bit fickle at times.