The U.S.'s "One China Policy" is somewhat misnamed. It says that the U.S. supports the
peaceful, voluntary reunification of Taiwan with mainland China.
That sounds like we're fine with reunification. But actually it says we are fine with it IF TAIWAN AND CHINA BOTH WANT IT. That's what "voluntary" and "peaceful" means.
China does, obviously. But Taiwan wants no part of rejoining China, and never has since a few million Chinese fled their country to go to Taiwan after WWII. They were fleeing the coming Communist rule under a newcomer named Mao Zedong, who had successfully ousted nationalist Chaing Kai-shek.
Mainland China has referred to Taiwan as a "Renegade province" and other less polite names ever since, and still tries to claim Taiwan is officially part of China. Taiwan strongly disagrees.
China has always opposed the U.S. doing anything that might make it look like we are accepting Taiwan as an independent country. And the U.S. having direct, high-level talks with the Taiwanese government is one of those things.
But now Congress has passed legislation approving high-level talks, and President Trump signed it today.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.WrQjpuSUNes
Last time that happened in our own country's history was on July 4, 1776, when our congress approved U.S. independence from Great Britain. Britain's reaction is now well documented, as well as the long-term results. The U.S. hasn't gone quite that for now with Taiwan, but mainland China didn't want even any baby steps in that direction.
Sounds like they aren't getting what they wanted.
Buckle your seat belts.
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Trump signs Taiwan order despite warnings from China - Business Insider
Forget trade — the Trump administration just crossed a far more dangerous 'red line' with China
Linette Lopez
- While everyone has been worrying about a trade war between the US and China, something far more dramatic has happened between the two countries.
- President Donald Trump last week signed legislation to allow high-level talks between the US and Taiwan.
- That crosses a "red line" for China, violating the "One China" policy the US has had with China since the Nixon administration.
Earlier this month, a
scathing editorial in Chinese state media warned the US Senate not to pass the Taiwan Travel Act, legislation to permit high-level talks between US and Taiwanese officials.
Unless US President Donald Trump "is ready to see the by and large stable and so-far profitable relationship derailed, unless he is determined to plunge his country into a pointless, mutually damaging altercation, or worse, he should resist the seducement," the editorial said.
It added: "Unlike trade, though, Taiwan is a matter of sovereignty. For Beijing, it is a clearly defined core interest that is not negotiable."
Anyway, on Friday, Trump signed the bipartisan bill into law.
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