By: Nicolás Mejía Marín A
In the mist of last couple month’s hurricanes Lee, Nigel, and Tammy, the world affronts a greater threat that outweighs that of any natural disaster, that is, one provoked by men and stirred by itself for the past century. The long-lasting conflict between China and Taiwan, which as much as old is one of much distress for the international community, has proved itself to be a political hurricane with potential to impact every nation beyond their coasts.
10 of October, 2024, the Taiwanese people who were celebrating their national day hear enthusiastically to their firm defender of independence and recently elected president, Lai Ching-Tse. As he spoke to a crowd in Taipei, he referenced China’s claim over the island multiple times, showing to everybody that he will “uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty”.
He added that “The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other”, in this way reaffirming that Taiwan has its own sovergnity and that “On this land, democracy and freedom are thriving”, imposing a contrast with the authoritarian and communist China and further emphasizing that “The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan”, nor any right to claim it as its own.
On the same page but in a difference instance Lai Ching-Tse over his presidential campaign has repeated a clear formula: There is “no need to declare independence, because Taiwan is already an independent sovereign state – its name is the Republic of China – Taiwan”. Such firebrand statement is deeply rooted on the island having its own people, constitution, really big and impactful economy, government and sociopolitical systems.
Despite of a spokeswoman from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizing Lai’s speech and his “sinister intention to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait in order to seek political gains.”, Taiwan has proven its desire to collaborate with China on addressing climate change, combatting infectious diseases, and mainly in “maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait”.
China was fast to answer, and only four days after the speech China’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned it saying that “Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan independence fallacy is just old wine in a new bottle, and again exposes his obstinate stance on Taiwan independence and his sinister intentions of escalating hostility and confrontation”. By this expression of “old wine in a new bottle” China references the strong ideals it holds: Being the only China, and seeing Taiwan as part of its territory.
China doesn’t want to leave its opinion floating in the air and directly states in the 9th paragraph of the preamble of the constitution of the People’s Republic of China that “Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People’s Republic of China. It is the sacred duty of all the Chinese people, including our fellow Chinese in Taiwan, to achieve the great reunification of the motherland.” An ideal hold so firmly that has led Xi Jinping to extreme measures not only over the years but just last month.
October 14, 2024, China launched huge military drills off the coast of Taiwan in what it described as “punishment”. Counting with 34 naval vessels and 125 aircraft in formation around the island (as detected by Taiwan) the drills were designed to “simulate attacking Taiwan by land, sea and air” as said by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The deployment and proximity of troops, as well as the simulated military assaults and port blockades just add up to the very clear statement made by China’s foreign ministry when condemning Taiwanese independence as “incompatible with peace on the region”.
All this conflict is one of much international distress because of the massive pace at which China is growing through its economic and commercial expansion techniques, and if it acquires Taiwan, which on itself produces more than 60% of the worlds microchips, China would singlehandedly be the world’s factory. Such microchips are essential for all the technological benefits we enjoy daily and if their production is threatened then all nations are as well.
It is also crucial to note that the US has some military bases around Taiwan to hold control of the Pacific Ocean and it has as well paved the way for military inventions in multiple occasions, including this one in which it sent the 7th fleet as a warning on China, letting it know that any direct confrontation with Taiwan also means confrontation with the US.