A US congressman said that the cross-strait service trade agreement increases the risk of a direct conflict between China and the US.
Democratic Representative Alan Grayson, a member of the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, wrote US Secretary of State John Kerry seeking a full analysis of potential effects the deal may have on US interests.
Grayson said that the trade deal is a possible step toward political and economic integration “between the two political entities,” adding that the integration “may be disadvantageous both to Taiwan and to the US.”
Student-led protesters occupied the legislature’s main chamber on March 18 to protest the government’s handling of the trade agreement.
The protesters demanded that an oversight bill for cross-strait agreements be passed before the service trade pact — signed with China in June last year but still pending in the legislature — be reviewed.
Protesters left the chamber on Thursday last week, after Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) acceded to their demand.
Grayson wrote that Taiwan and China are “vastly disproportionate in size,” which has implications for the deal.
“Economic integration between China and Taiwan will necessarily bring more political influence in Taiwan for the Chinese government, both directly and through the increasing power of Chinese state-owned enterprises in the Taiwanese economy,” Grayson wrote.
“It is clear that increasing influence and ultimately annexation are the aims and stated policy of the Chinese government,” he added.
In consideration of the deep economic, political and military links between the US and Taiwan, Grayson said that the trade deal increases the risk of a direct conflict between Washington and Beijing.
“On the face of it, it seems prudent to consider these risks and make it clear to the Taiwanese government that it bears full responsibility for maintaining and defending its sovereignty in all respects, including economic ones,” he wrote.
“Given the [US] State Department’s responsibility in this area, I would appreciate it if you would share analysis of this trade deal, and how the increased influence of China in Taiwan that it entails may impact American interests,” he wrote.
Grayson has previously said that Taiwanese groups had “vehemently” protested the trade deal and that it was highly controversial.
A US Department of State source on Monday said Kerry had not received Grayson’s letter, but was expected to reply later this week, after he had studied it.
Last month, US State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the US hoped discussions on the trade pact could be carried out peacefully.
“We certainly support Taiwan’s vibrant democracy, which allows for this kind of robust political dialogue,” she said.
“We have welcomed steps taken by both sides on the Taiwan Strait — that they’ve taken to reduce tensions and improve relations between Taipei and Beijing,” she added.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS