The True Picture Revealed by the Low-key Inauguration of AIT's New Building

 The True Picture Revealed by the Low-key Inauguration of AIT's New Building

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

June 14, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

In a symposium on US-China-Taiwan trilateral relations jointly sponsored by the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Ryan Hass, former director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia Affairs at the National Security Council, spoke succinctly, saying that the basic logic in US’ Taiwan policy was "pro-Taiwan but not anti-China." This time the US’ designation of Mary Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, to attend, in a low-key, the inauguration ceremony of the new AIT building was an excellent footnote.

China, the US, and Taiwan have never been an equilateral triangle; with the rise of the Mainland, US-Taiwan relations have been embedded in the structure of China-US relations. In other words, although the policy of “pro-Taiwan but not anti-China” touted by the US places “pro-Taiwan” first, the premise in fact is “not anti-China”; moreover, sometimes Washington has to watch Beijing’s reactions, trying to act as appropriately as it could. This time, the United States designated an assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, an official with a rank neither too high nor too low, to attend the AIT ceremony in a low-key, which we believe had been a decision made after a sand table drill; it pre-assessed the Mainland's possible reactions, and could be called an edge ball.

Secondly, China-US relations are still situated in the progression of power transition; the United States need not be reticent to offend the Mainland at all times, but in the completely lopsided US-Taiwan relations, Taiwan, however, has to watch the US reactions at all times. The US’ Taiwan policy, without question, serves US national interests; its primary consideration is US strategic interests and calculations in the Asia Pacific region. No matter how pro-Taiwan it is, it will not tolerate a Taiwan becoming arrogant because of being pampered, even using the US as a chess piece to counter the Mainland or pursue independence. In bygone years, Chen Shui-bian thought he had US backing, and embarked cavalierly on a road of no return for plebiscites; in the end, he was slapped in the face by George W. Bush. At that time, Thomas J. Christensen, Assistant Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific Affairs, did not even forget to warn Chen Shui-bian, “US-Taiwan relations are extremely friendly, but we will not allow Taiwan to decide the US position." After Trump was elected President, Stephen Yates, a “pro-Taiwan faction” figure came to Taipei for communication, stated straightforwardly, “We respect Taiwan independence, but do not expect US backing.” For this reason, the Taiwan independence faction must not think that a pro-Taiwan United States will unleash or provide support for their undertakings at will. President Tsai Ing-wen knows full-well that the status in the Taiwan Strait has long been changed; the policy of “maintaining the status quo” has never changed.

The Taiwan-US friendship needs to be cherished, while it is worthy of consolation for the US to be pro-Taiwan. However, after much fanfare, the new AIT building was “inaugurated in a low-key”; the political signal should not be underestimated. Especially how the United States is going to assess the risks and contradictions of “pro-Taiwan but not anti-China,” the trend of strengths waxing and waning between the two big powers, the US and China, Taiwan cannot but be watchful. Once "pro-Taiwan" has become "harming Taiwan," then regret would be too late.

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