Much of China’s imperialist endeavors in the modern world has largely centered around maintaining sovereignty over special administrative regions such as Hong Kong, and the Republic of China (ROC), also known as Taiwan. China’s handling of these regions has garnered much scrutiny from international media outlets and has received admonishment from many leaders, both domestic and abroad.
China’s adamant position on retaining control of Hong Kong’s state of security while undermining its judicial independence has been the premise for the region’s separatist demonstrations. Largely due to the extradition bill sanctioned by the National People’s Congress, violence in Hong Kong ensued until the bill’s withdrawal back in September 2019. However, China’s retaliation led to the passing of a comprehensive national security law that would, in effect, imprison anyone (up to life) who is found complicit in crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. The implementation of this law indubitably violates the “one country, two systems” framework, as more than 9,000 protestors, including pro-democracy lawmakers and activists, face imminent arrest and imprisonment. Furthermore, China’s aggressive stance on reaffirming its sovereignty over such administrative divisions has translated to many states covertly forging diplomatic missions with another particular semi-autonomous region considered one of Asia’s most disputed – Taiwan.
Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China, has a reputation for being the most actively unrecognized autonomous region in the world in terms of economic output, trading, and contribution to tech supply chains. Yet, China has strategically militarized its characterization of dominance over the region, having pointed approximately 1,600 ballistic missiles at the island territory, while exerting pressure on global companies to label Taiwan as a province of the mainland. Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu contends the notion that Taiwan has felt the pressure of China’s aggression to concede to their political demands, demands which threaten the very existence of their well-being and may turn the territory into the “next Hong Kong.” Nonetheless, the United States has maintained their decades-long alliance with Taipei and have ensured the people of Taiwan that their interests are vested with that of the United States.
Much of the nascent developments in Taiwan has amassed US military and diplomatic interests throughout the years, given that Congress believes that any attempt to coerce Taiwan into unification with the POC would be viewed as a grave threat to American security. Although China has vowed to reunify the mainland once its military and ballistic missile capabilities are adequate enough for a “full-scale barrage and invasion of mainland Taiwan”, the superpower must also be prepared to supersede many diplomatic and militaristic hurdles imposed by the United States, which would make for an interesting setup in any anticipated acts of aggression in the region.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/02/asia/china-taiwan-us-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49317695
Tim,
The comparison between how China has handled Hong Kong vs. Taiwan is indeed very interesting. There can be little doubt at this point that the new National Security law that China has imposed on HK is in direct violation of the declaration that it signed with the U.K. in 1984 when Britain handed over control. Hong Kong was to remain independent for 50 years or until 2034. And I must say that I find it surprising and reprehensible that the Brits have been so mild in their response to this move.
Taiwan is a somewhat different story, in part because the Chinese claim to the island is much less persuasive and also, in part, because (as you point out) Taiwan has had strong external support since the Nationalists lost control of mainland China following the Second World War. Just as there was supposedly a policy of “one country, two systems” in place with respect to Hong Kong, there was/is a similar work-around agreement in place that allows countries like the US to recognize the Peoples Republic of China without rejecting its long-standing relationship with Taiwan. The question, which we will discuss in class, is whether the PRC will now try to “force the issue” regarding Taiwan as it has done in Hong Kong?
–Professor Wallerstein