ABSTRACT
One of the most dangerous conflicts pursuant to contemporary international security is the ongoing dispute over the status of Taiwan. Mainland China has always considered Taiwan a part of China and desperately desires reunification, while Taiwan’s populace is split on the issue of independence. China’s leaders have gone on record time and time again saying that if Taiwan formally declares its independence, Beijing will take military action. The United States has an obligation to protect Taiwan from invasion. Therein lies the danger. The history of the conflict has been turbulent in political rhetoric, but so far major military conflict has been avoided. This chapter will examine China’s security policy toward Taiwan and its impact on US-Chinese relations and the broader development of American foreign policy toward the Far East.
