EDITORIAL
let everything stay as it is
Alex Rodriguez
The Spanish empire put it on the western map of the world between 1626 and 1642, when it was its colony. It was baptized as Isla Hermosa; today, Taiwan, where 5,000 students learn Spanish (Borao). Slightly larger than Sicily and smaller than Switzerland, this island of 23 million people has become one of the most dangerous areas in the world. Still, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is expected to deter China from a military adventure to annex it, triggering a confrontation with the United States. Vanguardia Dossier analyzes why this island is important and how its geographical position is essential for the stability of the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan's economy, although it cannot be compared to that of a power (León de la Rosa), plays a fundamental role in the value chain of the world economy, especially in the field of semiconductors. The island has also become a consolidated democracy, a model for non-Western societies. And geostrategically it constitutes a tectonic plate that, if it yields, would put an end to the pax americana established after World War II. For these three reasons (Cabestan), its annexation by the PRC would change the face of the world. Taiwan is the balance axis of the Indo-Pacific (Borreguero).
But from mainland China it is insisted that the status of Taiwan, the Republic of China, is transitory and that the end of this transition can never be independence (Ríos). China will not tolerate any attempt to divide the country; reunification is a historic task for the Chinese Communist Party (Ramírez). Gone is 2005, when Beijing and Taipei took their relations to their historical best moment and signed the Third Cooperation, against Taiwanese secessionism, which was equivalent to a de facto reunification.
This strategy was aborted in 2014. From then on, the Taiwanese identity did not stop growing, while the Chinese identity on the island was reduced to an insignificant level (Wu Jieh-min and Chee-Shing). Beijing doesn't know what to do with a generation of Taiwanese with no practical connection to mainland China (Herrera).
The “one country, two systems” model has long since lost its appeal for democracy on the island, especially after the Hong Kong experience. Alliances are strengthened in the Indo-Pacific, with Japan already crossing the red line through Taiwan against China (Panda) and a European Union reinforcing its economic, technological and political ties with Taipei (Malinconi).
Despite the uncertainty generated by Joe Biden with his statements about sending troops, the US continues to be rooted in its strategic ambiguity, the one that wants to dissuade a Chinese invasion to take over Taiwan and, at the same time, also dissuade the regime of Taipei to declare independence (Chan). That is, that everything stays as it is now. An unambiguous ambiguity.
* The importance of Taiwan The Republic of China is a small country and yet the world leader in the production of semiconductors. The People's Republic of China aspires to integrate it into its territory, while the US and its allies prefer to preserve the status quo and for it to survive as a democratic model for authoritarian countries, including China itself. JEAN-PIERRE CABESTAN
*Indo-Pacific Axis of Balance Taiwan is at the epicenter of the main battle between the two great powers. The great Indo-Pacific region has become the network of networks of the world economy, a source of opportunities but also of threats. EVA BORREGUERO SANCHO
* Taiwan and semiconductors: an economic powerhouse? Since the 1960s, the ROC has developed an industrial and export economy, encouraged by both the US and the People's Republic, which has served as its manufacturing power. RAQUEL ISAMARA LEON DE LA ROSA
* The reddest of lines Taiwan's independence is unassumable for China, as Xi Jinping has made clear. The US continues to bet on the status quo, while China, without credibility to offer democracy to the island, tries to win it over with the promise of economic prosperity. XULIO RIOS
* Cross-Strait Relations From the surrender of Japan and the return of the island to the ROC, to the current China-US confrontation, relations between the island and the mainland have evolved according to historical circumstances. ANDRÉS HERRERA FELIGRERAS AND FERRAN PÉREZ MENA
* Resistance to 'unification' The PRC's powerful campaign for “peaceful unification” with Taiwan has been unsuccessful, with support for independence rising on the island. As a solution, it again bets on diplomatic containment and military threats. WU JIEH-MIN
* Youth Identity and Democracy Much of the current political controversy in Taiwan is shaped by youth attitudes and opinions about Taiwan's identity and future. They feel Taiwanese and democrats and are reticent about China's intentions. BRIAN CHEE-SHING HIOE
* The thorn in China's foot For Beijing, reunification is a necessity to heal the wound of not having been able to complete national unity. Xi Jinping has made his will clear, which does not rule out the use of force if it cannot be obtained in any other way. RAUL RAMIREZ RUIZ
* Strategic ambiguity Washington has generated uncertainty about its commitment to defend Taiwan. The war in Ukraine and the US-China confrontation have increased the pressure on his policy. Steve Chan
* Does Tokyo have a new ally in Taipei? China's attitude towards the conflict in Ukraine and the greater assertiveness regarding Taiwan has led Japan to strengthen ties with the island trying not to arouse the wrath of Beijing. JAGANNATH PANDA
* EU and Taiwan: growing relations Brussels reinforces ties with Taipei moved by economic but also political interest in defense of its democratic model, in the face of a China that criticizes these rapprochements. MICHAEL MALINCONI
* Spain and Taiwan: encounters from the 17th century to today The Spanish have had a continuous presence on the island, overlapping with other powers, since Europe opened up the eastern sea routes. JOSÉ EUGENIO BORAO MATEO
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