Taiwan’s elections and the Indo-Pacific

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Taiwan’s elections and the Indo-Pacific” published in “Business Standard” on 17^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the reactions of major world powers after the recent Taiwan election results. It also highlights why Taiwan is an important player in global geopolitics and India’s stance on the same.

Background:

Lai Ching-te, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), emerged as the winner of the Taiwan elections. It has now won 3 presidential elections in a row with its stance of independence (rejecting China’s assertion of sovereignty and unification).

It also rejects the 1992 consensus which declares that both entities accept that there is only one China but referred to as the PRC and the other as the Republic of China.

What has been the reaction of the major powers to the election result?

China: Chinese Foreign Minister reiterated that it cannot change that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China.

USA: It has welcomed the elections as a demonstration of Taiwan’s vibrant democracy but also reiterated that it does not support the island’s independence. It emphasises the need to maintain peace and security in the Taiwan Strait.

Japan: It has also congratulated Taiwan on its democratic polity and the shared values between the two countries.

Why is Taiwan an important player in global geopolitics?

1. Economic Weight: Taiwan is a major trading power and the world’s 16th largest economy.
2. Major Source of Semiconductors: It is the source of 92% of the world’s most advanced logic chips and it fabricates 55% of the semiconductors embedded in vehicles, laptops, tablets and smartphones all over the world.
3. Major Maritime Trading Route: Any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would affect critical digital supply chains and the nearly 60% of global maritime trade that moves through the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

What is India’s changing stance with respect to Taiwan?

India has a stake in the maintenance of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, with Taiwan at its centre. It maintains non-official relations with Taiwan. Lately, the following changes have occurred with respect to its stance on the Taiwan issue:

1) Expansion of Economic Relations: Trade and investment relations between the two countries have recently expanded significantly.

2) Direct Criticism of China: India for the first time in 2022, criticised China for its “militarisation of the Taiwan Strait”.

3) Not Affirming the One-China Principle: India has lately stopped reaffirming the one-China principle. Its stance is now more aligned with its partners in the QUAD.

Question for practice:

Taiwan is an important player in global geopolitics, especially when it comes to the Indo-Pacific. Discuss.