The KMT's Predicament: Cross-Strait Relations and Taiwan's Domestic Politics

摘要

The possible implications of the political churn in Taiwan that the two Resolutions point towards, may indeed, be profound. It yet again underscores the rising challenge that Taiwan poses for China, which, in turn, could give rise to strategic fragility in the Taiwan Strait. Developments such as the KMT's Resolutions have a bearing on conventional explanations and the understanding of the security-strategic situation in the Taiwan Strait. Such qualitative changes in the situation that are not to China's liking increase the probabilities of wild-card scenarios. Thus, Taiwan requires a clearer security commitment from the US. It needs to also ensure the political involvement of other regional and extra-regional powers, that may have interests in the region. However, on the other hand, the US' move from its four decade-old policy-of studied strategic ambiguity, that has served the interest of Taiwan, China and the US reasonably well-to a clear commitment to Taiwan along with the involvement of other regional and extra-regional powers, will not be without consequences. This situation will put China's policy of awaiting a peaceful reunification-the use of force being a last resort-to severe test.