OPINION:
Today the most dangerous place on Earth is arguably the Taiwan Strait, where a war between the United States and China could erupt out of miscalculation (“Chinese pressure sparks debate on Taiwan’s resilience,” Web, Aug. 8).
The U.S. should avoid instigating aggression from the Chinese toward Taiwan. Washington should honor the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and not directly engage in armed conflict with China.
Through the enactment of the TRA and the Six Assurances, alongside the Three Joint Communiques, the U.S. provided 23 million people with specific security guarantees, allowing Taiwan to develop in a stable and prosperous manner. As far as Taiwan is concerned, it cannot afford to lose the U.S., but neither can it forever blindly consider China a foe. If the two sides of the strait remain in confrontation, then much time has been wasted over the past 40-plus years.
Due to the fluctuations in cross-strait relations, finding the best way to protect the people’s welfare is a tremendous challenge for Taiwan. The U.S. can continue helping Taiwan maintain the status quo by selling weapons, expanding trade treaties and giving Taiwan more power when negotiating with China on definition of the gray area.
KENT WANG
Advisory Commissioner, Overseas Community Affairs Council
Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United States
Potomac Falls, Va.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.