China’s assertiveness over Taiwan likely to persist: Defense analyst
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An analyst for defense said that China’s militaristic assertiveness against Taiwan will probably continue over the next 12 month as tensions increase between the two countries.
CNBC’s Derek Grossman said that China is trying to grab America’s attention. He was a senior defense analyst for Rand Corporation.Squawk Box Asia“
Grossman stated that Beijing was “really, really disappointed” with the U.S.-Taiwan relationship on every front, especially in security.
China has claimed Taiwan as its territory, and is attempting to force the democratic island into accepting Beijing’s rule.
The ruling Chinese Communist Party has never been in control of Taiwan, to be very clear. China insists that Taiwan is an independent province and must be united with China, using force if necessary.
Xi vows ‘peaceful reunification’
Beijing doesn’t trust TsaiIng-wen, even though she has been a really pragmatic president. Instead, they call her a closet separatist and supporter of independence.
Derek Grossman
Rand Corporation, senior defense analyst
Tsai stated that Taiwan will not be forced to follow the Chinese path and would continue to strengthen its national defense.
She explained that the Chinese path has not offered Taiwan a democratic and free life, or sovereignty.
China offered Taiwan a “one country, two systems” governance model — like the one in Hong Kong. Grossman, of Rand Corporation said that the proposal was “overwhelmingly unpopular in Taiwan”.
After Xi’s speech was over, the Taiwan Affairs Office (China) issued a statement hours later in a Mandarin-language statement — which CNBC translated — that Tsai “advocated Taiwan independence, incited confrontation, cut apart history and distorted facts.”
Relations between the United States and Taiwan
Earlier this month, China sent a record number of military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone — raising international concerns of a military accident.
Taiwan is not a country with which the United States has diplomatic relations. However, through the Taiwan Relations ActWashington will provide arms to the island in defense of its interests and help maintain stability in the Western Pacific.
Taiwan’s Next President: Eyes On Taiwan
Grossman stated that Taiwan’s next presidential vote in 2024 could have an impact on China-Taiwan tensions.
Tsai currently serves her final, fourth-year term as president.
Grossman indicated that China is concerned about William Lai Chingte, Taiwan’s current Vice President, being elected the president-elect of the Democratic Progressive Party.
“They think he really wants independence,” he said.
Defense analyst added that Xi seemed to temper his words by promising “peaceful reunification with Taiwan”. Xi, however, said the same thing at July’s Chinese Communist Party 100th Anniversary. that China “must take resolute action to utterly defeat any attempt” at Taiwan independence.
Grossman said that Xi Jinping might want to be a touch more delicate as it is the last thing you want, to persuade Taiwanese citizens to elect William Lai for 2024.
“Beijing consistently has not trusted Tsai Ing-wen even though she’s been a truly pragmatic president —they’ve called her a closet independence supporter, a separatist,” he said. But here’s William Lai who has openly called out for Taiwan independence. So I believe there is a bit of delicate maneuvering.”
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