From Colony to a Strategic Flashpoint: Taiwan’s Historic Legacy, Relationship with US and a Looming Threat of a Chinese Offensive

Abstract

In the recent times, the Taiwan Question has emerged as one of the most combustible global disputes due to its peculiar political history, which saw the country emerge as a democratic state after centuries of colonial subordination. Taiwan’s identity as a de facto sovereign state has been influenced by its centuries-long evolution under the influence of the Dutch, Spanish, Qing, and Japanese. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) perceives Taiwan as an integral part of its territory; due to its One-China Policy, hence the outstanding legitimacy issues remain crucial to China's fundamental national interests. This paper takes in to account the Taiwan’s political history from Pre-1700 era to the present times; thereby, highlighting its historic foundations, the relationship with the United States in the recent times, Chinese perception of Taiwan as its core national interest and anticipatory assessment of a D-Day in the bilateral conflict between the two sides. It can be comprehended that since Taiwan has evolved as an important global stakeholder, particularly in terms of its advancement in technology domain, Chinese assertion of a conflict may have its global consequences. China –Taiwan Conflict would not merely be disastrous for the East Asian region, but will have its implications for the global security and stability. This study concludes that the strategic calculus of Taiwan issue may not be inferred as merely a regional challenge, but must be viewed as a global flashpoint that can bring global stakeholders on the verge of a nuclear conflict.