The US-Taiwan Security Relationship: In The Light of A Perceived Chinese Threat Since 1971 To Today

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine how a small country like Taiwan maintains a relationship with the sole superpower ‘the United States of America’ in terms of sovereignty and security against perceived Chinese political and military threats. It is interesting to note how the US sustains security relations with Taiwan without having formal relations with her. At the same time China’s response to the US-Taiwan security relationship will also be observed since 1971 to till today. On the hand, Taiwan, which was divided by the civil war from China in 1949, is a democratic and capitalist state now. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with some states. On the other hand, China, which is still politically a communist country, is growing as a major economic power as well as military power in the contemporary world. From the Cold War perspective, the US normalized relations with China in 1971 and recognized that Taiwan was the part of China. And in 1979 the US and China established formal diplomatic relations with each other, while in the same year, the US Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA.). The TRA provides all sorts of military as well as political security to Taiwan. Strategically, the US had to discard the formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan for the sake of China since 1979. But the US stands by Taiwan with all military assistance, whenever necessary against any possible China’s threats. But how? This study will endeavour to scrutinize the TRA from the political and military perspectives,in details, since the TRA provides holistic security to Taiwan from any possible Chinese invasion. Interestingly, the US looks for a mutual peaceful solution of the Taiwan case, while China often threatens with the forceful reunification of Taiwan. The US is playing a role like a balancer between China and Taiwan. But the Taiwanese, especially new and current generation, prefer complete independence from China or at least the current status quo which has been going on for a long time. The current status quo of the Taiwan case serves the best possible purposes to the US, China and Taiwan since this status quo keeps peace in the region of Asia-Pacific. But how long the issue of Taiwan will go on like this, is a deep matter of question from the global security point of view.