ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests one way to understand Taiwan's national security policy is by examining the evolution from the so-called high politics of international relations to low politics. Being diplomatically isolated, Taiwan needed to carve out an "independent" national security policy. Most foci on national security have always been on military issues, and less attention has been placed on the use of trade as part of statecraft. Before the de-recognition of Taiwan by the United States in 1979, the United States has played the key role in explicitly securing Taiwan's security. For Taiwan, the United States' "Three-No" policy constrains the possible options for its own dealings with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Instead of focusing solely on sovereignty issues, the "Three-No" policy forces the two sides to move to other areas of mutual agreements such as economic cooperation and establishment of possible direct links on shipping, communication, and transportation.
