China – Taiwan: close economic ties and military confrontation

Although the international financial crises and the consequent slowdown in the last quarter of 2008 in the growth of China and Taiwan, the economic relations in the Taiwan Strait are stronger than ever. China is essential for Taiwan's economic development, as it is the primary trade partner, export market, trade surplus source and business investment destination. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's late efforts to make restoring talks with China and pursuing the normalization of cross-strait relations led to direct shipping and air links, fulfilling long-held expectations. Travelers no longer have to transit in Hong kong on their way to China.In parallel, China and Taiwan run a military build-up. Taipei improved defense capability to reduce its widening disparity vis-à-vis China (still in november, the outgoing Bush Administration approved the transfer of a raft of arms and weapons systems, long awaited from the taiwanese leadership). However, China's military is rapidly modernizing, increasing strategic projection, and its defence budget has grown by double digit for more than 15 years, while Taiwan's defense budget has remained low.US Navy will be ready to intervene with a rapid task force in case a crises occurs in the strategic Taiwan Strait to mantain open trade and oil routes.

Davide Cazzoni

Equilibri.net (05 marzo 2009)

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