Taiwan, China, U.S. Diplomacy

Bush Should Keep His Word On Taiwan
(Wall Street Journal)…Dan Blumenthal, Aaron Friedberg, Randall Schriver and Ashley J. Tellis, July 19, 2008, Pg. 9

In 2001, President Bush made a bold and principled decision to offer Taiwan a range of military equipment for its security. In 2008, as he prepares to leave office, the president seems to have reneged on that commitment.

The People’s Republic of China has been expanding its military capabilities at a rapid pace.

The policy of not offending China, no matter what the costs, does not serve U.S. interests in the Taiwan Straits. First, it undermines Mr. Ma’s ability to deal with Beijing from a position of strength, and to that extent it undermines the common objective of peaceful reunification, should the Taiwanese desire it.

Denying Taiwan the minimal capabilities required to cope with China’s massive military buildup also increases the burdens on U.S. forces if they should ever intervene in a future cross-straits confrontation.