Describes the Taiwan problem as the most enduring and dangerous of the East Asian flash points, and the one with the greatest potential for leading to military confrontation between China and the USA. This is despite the fact that Sino-US relations are improving in many areas. Notes that China remains committed to preventing the permanent political separation of Taiwan but does not support what are described as alarmist views of invasion or economic sanctions. Instead the author sets out a number of scenarios in which China may use military power short of invasion to achieve its desire for dominance, and shows how these might draw in the United States. Concludes that maintaining the status quo is the best way forward and calls for restraint and diplomacy from all sides.
ASIA PACIFIC REGION CHINA--FOREIGN RELATIONS--TAIWAN REGIONAL SECURITY TAIWAN--FOREIGN RELATIONS--CHINA UNITED STATES--FOREIGN POLICY