US-China Rivalry and Taiwan's Mainland Policy : Security, Nationalism, and the 1992 Consensus

This book examines changes in Taiwan’s policies toward Mainland China under former Republic of China (ROC) President Ma Ying-jeou (2008-16) and considers their implications for US policy toward the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s increasingly assertive foreign policy behaviors have heightened tensions with its regional neighbors as well as the United States. However, under the Kuomintang (KMT) administration of Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan discounted Beijing’s coercion and pursued rapprochement on the basis of the “1992 consensus,” which was a tacit agreement reached between the KMT and Chinese Communist Party in 1992 that both Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China though that “China” is subjected to either side's different interpretations. The author of this volume analyzes why Taipei underreacted towards the security challenges posed by the PRC and chartered policies that sometimes went against the interests of Washington and its allies in the Asia-Pacific. The KMT was pushing for nation-building initiatives to rejuvenate the ROC’s “one China” ruling legitimacy and to supplant pro-independence forces within Taiwan. The island’s deeply fragmented domestic politics and partisanship have led policy elites to choose suboptimal strategy and, thereby, weakening its security position. The implications from this study are equally applicable to Taiwan’s newly elected Democratic Progressive Party government that has taken off ice in 2016. This Book Examines Changes In Taiwan's Policies Toward Mainland China Under Former Republic Of China (roc) President Ma Ying-jeou (2008-16) And Considers Their Implications For Us Policy Toward The Taiwan Strait. In Recent Years, The People's Republic Of China (prc)'s Increasingly Assertive Foreign Policy Behaviors Have Heightened Tensions With Its Regional Neighbors As Well As The United States. However, Under The Kuomintang (kmt) Administration Of Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan Discounted Beijing's Coercion And Pursued Rapprochement On The Basis Of The 1992 Consensus. The Author Of This Volume Analyzes Why Taipei Underreacted Towards The Security Challenges Posed By The Prc And Chartered Policies That Sometimes Went Against The Interests Of Washington And Its Allies In The Asia-pacific. The Kmt Was Pushing For Nation-building Initiatives To Rejuvenate The Roc's One China Ruling Legitimacy And To Supplant Pro-independence Forces Within Taiwan. The Island's Deeply Fragmented Domestic Politics And Partisanship Have Led Policy Elites To Choose Suboptimal Strategy, Weakening Its Security Position. The Implications From This Study Are Equally Applicable To Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party Government That Has Taken Office In 2016. The Xi-mi Summit Meeting And Us Interests Across The Taiwan Strait -- Politics Beyond The Water's Edge: Neoclassical Realism -- Defining One China -- The Kmt Rebuilds The Roc: Useful Foreign Foes And Enemies From Within -- Us Strategic Ambiguity, Rising China, And Taiwan's Security -- Tsai Ing-wen And The Weakening Of The 1992 Consensus. Dean P. Chen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book examines changes in Taiwan's policies toward Mainland China under former Republic of China (ROC) President Ma Ying-jeou (2008-16) and considers their implications for US policy toward the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, the People's Republic of China (PRC)'s increasingly assertive foreign policy behaviors have heightened tensions with its regional neighbors as well as the United States. However, under the Kuomintang (KMT) administration of Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan discounted Beijing's coercion and pursued rapprochement on the basis of the z1992 consensusy. The author of this volume analyzes why Taipei underreacted towards the security challenges posed by the PRC and chartered policies that sometimes went against the interests of Washington and its allies in the Asia-Pacific. The KMT was pushing for nation-building initiatives to rejuvenate the ROC's zone Chinay ruling legitimacy and to supplant pro-independence forces within Taiwan. The island's deeply fragmented domestic politics and partisanship have led policy elites to choose suboptimal strategy, weakening its security position. The implications from this study are equally applicable to Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party government that has taken office in 2016 Front Matter....Pages i-xix The Xi–Ma Summit Meeting and US Interests Across the Taiwan Strait....Pages 1-40 Politics Beyond the Water’s Edge: Neoclassical Realism....Pages 41-67 Defining “One China”....Pages 69-100 The KMT Rebuilds the ROC: Useful Foreign Foes and Enemies from Within....Pages 101-135 US Strategic Ambiguity, Rising China, and Taiwan’s Security....Pages 137-171 Tsai Ing-wen and the Weakening of the “1992 Consensus”....Pages 173-202 Back Matter....Pages 203-207