Lai Needs to Grasp Significance of Biden-Xi Call
China Times Editorial, April 3, 2024
During a call between American and Chinese leaders before the presidential inauguration of William Lai in Taiwan, President Joe Biden reiterated the United States' One China policy to Chinese President Xi Jinping and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Xi, on the other hand, emphasized that the Taiwan issue is the foremost red line in U.S.-China relations and urged the United States to translate Biden's non-support for Taiwan independence into action. Both sides not only discussed managing U.S.-China relations but also shared responsibility for ensuring security in the Taiwan Strait, confirming "zero accidents" across the strait before Lai's inauguration.
Zero Accidents Before Inauguration Confirmed
Ahead of the Biden-Xi call, American Institute in Taiwan Chairperson Laura Rosenberger visited Taiwan for the fifth time in her year-long tenure, a notably unusual frequency. Given the sensitive timing of former President Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the mainland and the Biden-Xi video call, Rosenberger's visit underscores American concerns about the rapidly evolving situation in the Taiwan Strait and the need to accurately assess the latest developments and evaluate Lai's ability to handle challenges.
Rosenberger's frequent visits to Taiwan have led many to speculate that they aim to provide guidance on the content of Lai's May 20 inaugural address. However, President Biden's response to Lai's election, stating "not supporting Taiwan independence," has already drawn a clear red line, and Lai has repeatedly stated that he will follow President Tsai’s course. Therefore, it is unlikely that Lai's inauguration speech will depart from the established script and openly advocate for Taiwan independence. Rosenberger's high-profile visit seems unnecessary for a speech that is still in the planning stages.
Rosenberger met separately with President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai. During her meeting with Lai, Rosenberger expressed her hope that Lai would continue to work to maintain the status quo in the region and across the Taiwan Strait. She also acknowledged Taiwan's recent significant progress in defense-related reforms and expressed hope for further enhancement in the future. The underlying implications of these "hopes" suggest a clear guidance and reminder that there is no room for deviation in maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and strengthening defense reforms, conveying the message that the United States seeks to deliver.
Regarding defense matters, American scholars and media have recently repeatedly warned of Taiwan's prevalent complacency and false sense of security, believing that Communist China would not take military action against Taiwan. There have been doubts about Taiwan's insufficient investment in defense and the inadequate quality of military training.
On cross-strait relations, Rosenberger stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial to the common interests of the United States and Taiwan and are important priorities between the two. However, since Taiwan's presidential election, a series of events, including the termination of diplomatic relations between Nauru and Taiwan, the mainland's cancellation of the M503 flight route offset, Taiwan's ban on group travel to the mainland, and the incident in the Kinmen waters, have led to a spiral of escalating hostility between the two sides, which is clearly not welcomed by the United States.
The scheduled ground-to-sea live-fire drill by the Kinmen Defense Command was adjusted to a land-based firing range, citing heavy fog and adverse sea conditions around Kinmen as the reason. However, this exercise, which was abruptly canceled before Rosenberger's visit, raised suspicions of provocation while the Kinmen incident remained unresolved, reflecting American concerns about the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
For the United States, cross-strait relations and the Taiwan issue are inseparable from the framework of strategic competition between the United States and China. The main strategy of the United States is to balance between maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and improving U.S.-China relations. President Biden also believes that one of the successful aspects of U.S.-China relations over the past five decades has been responsibly handling Taiwan, peacefully resolving cross-strait differences, and opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The so-called U.S.-China joint management of Taiwan indeed contributes to stability.
Easing Tensions Requires Cross-Strait Communication
However, following the 20th National Party Congress, Communist China emphasized "firmly grasping the initiative and dominance in cross-strait relations" and engaged in a power struggle with the United States over Taiwan. Chinese leader Xi demanded Biden's support for China's peaceful reunification during their meeting in San Francisco last year. After this year's Two Sessions, Beijing further emphasized "anti-independence, promoting reunification, and integration," stressing the joint advancement of the "peaceful reunification of the motherland" process and the deepening of cross-strait integration and development, creating pressure on both the United States and Taiwan.
In the face of mainland China’s reunification efforts, Rosenberger reiterated unwavering support for Taiwan during her Taipei visit. Beyond comforting and stabilizing Taiwan, there is also a need to counter and compete with China. The Biden-Xi call once again proved that the goals and priorities of both sides differ. The United States downplays and handles the Taiwan issue coldly, the White House meeting summary only emphasizes the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
In contrast, Xi firmly stated that the Taiwan issue is the first and most critical red line in U.S.-China relations. Regarding separatist activities and external support for Taiwan independence forces, the mainland will not turn a blind eye. After the Biden-Xi call, China will not slow down its efforts to promote the peaceful reunification process. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen departed for China on April 3, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit in the coming weeks. The upcoming talks on the "Maritime Military Security Consultation Mechanism" between the United States and China further marginalize the Taiwan issue in American policy priorities.
The rigid "anti-China, pro-Taiwan" ideology of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will only put Taiwan in jeopardy. The Biden-Xi call indicates that neither the United States nor China wants any surprises from Lai. Over the past few days, Lai has intensively received confidential national security and defense briefings, but reducing tension in the Taiwan Strait depends on his actions.
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20240403005627-262101