Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949 and is now seeking international community help with China. China views the island as a renegade province and aims to “unify” Taiwan with the mainland. Since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, tensions between the two have escalated as Tsai has refused to allow for increased cross-strait ties. Meanwhile, Beijing has taken increasingly aggressive actions, including flying fighter jets near the island. Some analysts fear a Chinese attack on Taiwan has the potential to draw the United States into a war with China.
China’s objective is to wear down Taiwan, so they conclude that their best option is unification with the mainland. To that end, China has increased the frequency and scale of patrols of bombers, fighter jets, and surveillance aircraft over and around Taiwan. It has also increasingly sailed its warships and aircraft carriers through the Taiwan Strait in shows of force.
China is actively engaged in cyberwarfare, information warfare and interference in domestic Taiwanese politics hoping to force Taiwan to submit to China through nonmilitary means. Taiwan has reported thousands of cyberattacks from China target its government agencies every day. In addition, China has increased its interference in Taiwan’s elections including spreading disinformation on social media and increasing its control over Taiwanese media outlets.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen says that while the military threat is real, the international community needs to make it clear to China that nonmilitary aggression is unacceptable and will incur serious economic costs. While China is increasing its nonmilitary intimidation tactics, it is important for the world to recognize the importance of Taiwan’s economy. Much of the world’s everyday electronic equipment from phones to laptops, watches and game consoles is powered by computer chips made in Taiwan. Here is an opinion piece we found of interest relating to the increasing Taiwan-China tensions and the importance of the international community to support Taiwan.
Listen to Taiwan’s pleas, not China’s grumbles
In an opinion piece “Listen to Taiwan’s pleas, not China’s grumbles” for The Washington Post, Josh Rogin, columnist for the Global Opinions section of The Washington Post, discusses the importance of the recent U.S. visit by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen where she met with a group of senior U.S. lawmakers, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). She is calling for more U.S. help to counter China’s intimidation and interference in Taiwan’s democracy.
Ing-wen described China’s escalating daily campaign of political, economic and psychological aggression against Taiwan urging the U.S. to understand that while the threat of military invasion can’t be ignored, China’s real plan is to force Taiwan to submit through nonmilitary means. Read the full article on The Washington Post.
Disclosure: Fatty Fish is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
The Fatty Fish Editorial Team includes a diverse group of industry analysts, researchers, and advisors who spend most of their days diving into the most important topics impacting the future of the technology sector. Our team focuses on the potential impact of tech-related IP policy, legislation, regulation, and litigation, along with critical global and geostrategic trends — and delivers content that makes it easier for journalists, lobbyists, and policy makers to understand these issues.
- The Fatty Fish Editorial Teamhttps://fattyfish.org/author/fattyfish_editorial/
- The Fatty Fish Editorial Teamhttps://fattyfish.org/author/fattyfish_editorial/
- The Fatty Fish Editorial Teamhttps://fattyfish.org/author/fattyfish_editorial/
- The Fatty Fish Editorial Teamhttps://fattyfish.org/author/fattyfish_editorial/
