WILL CHINA INVADE TAIWAN: POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES, CHINA AND TAIWAN

Abstract

The big question on every body’s mind today is whether and if China will invade Taiwan? The assumption that China will invade Taiwan has its roots in how China has continued to grow more wealthier, more powerful and more nationalist thus forcing many International Relations Scholars to believe that China might just be strong enough to embrace and absorb Taiwan as part of main land China. Given the results of the elections in Taiwan which the pro-independence party DPP has won the threat of a Chinese aggression against Taiwan seems to have increased. This paper gives a background history of China-Taiwan conflict, reflects on how democracy in Taiwan may have affected this conflict and studies both the internal Taiwanese political environment and the changing geopolitical environment in the region. The paper also examines the loss of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and the role of Taiwan’s leadership in influencing Taiwan’s policy towards China. In the end to avoid the possibility of a conflict and resultant war in the region the paper proposes the best policy options in the coming years for all the three stake holders in the conflict – China, USA and Taiwan.