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Untying the Knot: Making Peace in the Taiwan Strait
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The relationship between Taiwan and China is a paradox. On the one hand, the two economies are becoming increasingly integrated, as Taiwanese companies have come to regard the mainland as the best place to manufacture their products and maintain global competitiveness. On the other hand, the long-running and changing political dispute between the two governments remains unresolved. Each side fears the intentions of the other and is acquiring military capabilities to deter disaster. In its pursuit of peace in the Taiwan Strait, the United States could get drawn into a war between the two rivals. Richard C. Bush, whose career has been dedicated to Taiwan-China issues, explores the conflicts between these nations and the difficulties that must be resolved. Disagreements over sovereignty and security form the core of the dispute. What would be the legal status and international role of the Taiwan government in a future unified China? Given China's growing military power, how could Taiwan feel secure? Complicating these issues are domestic politics and international competition, as well as misperceptions on both sides. Thus multiple obstacles prevent the two sides from even getting to the negotiating table, much less reaching a mutually acceptable resolution. For reasons of policy and politics, the United States is constrained from a central role. To begin with, it must provide China with some reassurance about its policy in order to secure cooperation on foreign policy issues. At the same time, it must bolster Taiwan's political confidence and military deterrence while discouraging provocative actions. The arcane nature of this dispute severely restricts the role of the United States as conflict mediator. But if there is to be any solution to this conflict, the comprehensive analysis that this book provides will be required reading for effective policy.
"
The relationship between Taiwan and China is a paradox. On the one hand, the two economies are becoming increasingly integrated, as Taiwanese companies have come to regard the mainland as the best place to manufacture their products and maintain global competitiveness. On the other hand, the long-running and changing political dispute between the two governments remains unresolved. Each side fears the intentions of the other and is acquiring military capabilities to deter disaster. In its pursuit of peace in the Taiwan Strait, the United States could get drawn into a war between the two rivals. Richard C. Bush, whose career has been dedicated to Taiwan-China issues, explores the conflicts between these nations and the difficulties that must be resolved. Disagreements over sovereignty and security form the core of the dispute. What would be the legal status and international role of the Taiwan government in a future unified China? Given China's growing military power, how could Taiwan feel secure? Complicating these issues are domestic politics and international competition, as well as misperceptions on both sides. Thus multiple obstacles prevent the two sides from even getting to the negotiating table, much less reaching a mutually acceptable resolution. For reasons of policy and politics, the United States is constrained from a central role. To begin with, it must provide China with some reassurance about its policy in order to secure cooperation on foreign policy issues. At the same time, it must bolster Taiwan's political confidence and military deterrence while discouraging provocative actions. The arcane nature of this dispute severely restricts the role of the United States as conflict mediator. But if there is to be any solution to this conflict, the comprehensive analysis that this book provides will be required reading for effective policy.
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431 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 29, 2015
I read Richard Bush's book in Chinese version "台灣的未來 如何解開兩岸的爭端 卜睿哲著林添貴譯" 2010.05.01 published in Taipei. In Chap 9, Bush mentions historical factor in discussing US policy... "Since WWII, without inquiring Taiwanese intention, US made several decisions affecting the future of Taiwan..."
第301頁
自從二次世界大戰以來，美國有幾次在未能徵詢台灣人民的意願之下，或是華府逕自認定自己最清楚前因後果，就做出影響到台灣人民未來的決定。這個作法始於小羅斯福總統，決定在日本戰敗後，把台灣交還給中國; 最明顯的就是尼克森總統與卡特總統決定和中華人民共和國關係正常化。當然，這裡頭有戰略原因要做出這些抉擇，而且直到一九九零年代初期，由於國民黨的高壓統治，也無從徵詢人民的意願。在這些事例中，有爭論的是，華府忽視其道義責任，沒有替不能自由表達意志的台灣人民講話或動作。
第301頁
自從二次世界大戰以來，美國有幾次在未能徵詢台灣人民的意願之下，或是華府逕自認定自己最清楚前因後果，就做出影響到台灣人民未來的決定。這個作法始於小羅斯福總統，決定在日本戰敗後，把台灣交還給中國; 最明顯的就是尼克森總統與卡特總統決定和中華人民共和國關係正常化。當然，這裡頭有戰略原因要做出這些抉擇，而且直到一九九零年代初期，由於國民黨的高壓統治，也無從徵詢人民的意願。在這些事例中，有爭論的是，華府忽視其道義責任，沒有替不能自由表達意志的台灣人民講話或動作。
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews