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1.​ Discuss the historical roots of the China-Taiwan issue. How have key events and political
ideologies shaped the current state of cross-strait relations? Consider the Chinese Civil War, the
establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC) in
Taiwan, and the evolution of Taiwan's political identity.
-​ The source of the China-Taiwan conflict is the unresolved Chinese Civil War between the
Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which came to an end in
1949 when the KMT fled to Taiwan and persisted in claiming power as the Republic of
China (ROC), while the CCP established the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the
mainland. Both governments maintained for many years that they were the only rightful
rulers of all of China. The PRC gradually gained international recognition, particularly
after taking China's seat at the UN in 1971. Taiwan, meanwhile, experienced profound
political change, moving from KMT-era authoritarianism to a thriving democracy and a
developing sense of Taiwanese identity separate from China. In favor of Taiwan's
sovereignty, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has gained influence, further
straining relations with Beijing. Today, Taiwan operates as a de facto independent state,
while China insists on reunification, considering Taiwan a breakaway province. This
ideological and political divide continues to fuel tensions in cross-strait relations,
complicated by international strategic interests, particularly those of the United States.

2.​ Explain the significance of the "One China Principle" in the context of China-Taiwan
relations. What are the different interpretations of this principle by Beijing and Taipei, and how
has it influenced international relations with both entities?
-​ A pillar of China-Taiwan relations is the "One China Principle," which holds that Taiwan
is an integral part of China and that there is only one China. Beijing uses the idea that the
People's Republic of China (PRC) is the only legitimate government that represents all of
China, including Taiwan, to pressure other nations to sever ties with Taipei. Taiwan, on
the other hand, has a different interpretation. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
emphasizes Taiwan's unique character and de facto independence, while the Kuomintang
supports the idea of one China with distinct interpretations under the "1992 Consensus."
Since most nations respect the PRC's right to keep diplomatic ties while interacting with
Taiwan informally in areas like trade and security. The principle remains a central issue in
cross-strait tensions and global geopolitics, particularly as China seeks reunification and
Taiwan resists political absorption.

3.​ Discuss the evolution of Taiwan's political system and its impact on cross-strait tensions.
How has Taiwan's democratization and the rise of a distinct Taiwanese identity contributed to the
current dynamic with the PRC?
 -​ Tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC) have increased as a result of
Taiwan's transformation from an authoritarian dictatorship to a flourishing democracy.
With the end of martial rule in 1987 and the first direct presidential election held on the
island in 1996, Taiwan's democratization gave its citizens the opportunity to openly
discuss issues of national identity and sovereignty. As more people identified as
Taiwanese rather than Chinese, a distinct Taiwanese identity emerged in tandem with this
political liberalization. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which supports a
"Taiwan-first" strategy and greater separation from Beijing, gained ground during this
period. The PRC, which opposes any attempts at formal independence and views Taiwan
as a renegade province, was alarmed by these developments. China has responded by
stepping up its efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and militarily, while Taiwan has
strengthened its democratic institutions and international partnerships. The evolving
identity and political system in Taiwan have thus transformed the cross-strait relationship
into a broader ideological conflict between democracy and authoritarianism, further
complicating prospects for peaceful resolution.

4.​ Explain the factors contributing to the recent increase in tensions between China and
Taiwan. Consider military activities, diplomatic pressure, economic coercion, and information
warfare.
-​ Beijing's military, diplomatic, economic, and informational pressures have all contributed
to the recent escalation of tensions between China and Taiwan. As a sign of its
preparedness for possible conflict, China has stepped up its military operations close to
Taiwan, including airspace incursions and live-fire drills. China maintains its diplomatic
isolation of Taiwan by putting pressure on nations and international organizations to
forgo formal relations with Taipei. In an effort to influence public opinion, especially
before elections, Beijing has banned important Taiwanese exports and made threats to
revoke trade preferences. Through disinformation campaigns, including the use of
generative AI to propagate false narratives and widen social divides within Taiwan,
China has also stepped up its information warfare. All of these measures are part of
China's larger plan to pressure Taiwan into unification with Beijing.

5.​ Explain the impact of China's growing military capabilities on the security dynamics in
the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. How has China's military modernization
influenced the strategic calculations of Taiwan and its allies?
-​ The security dynamics in the Taiwan Strait and the larger Indo-Pacific region have been
profoundly altered by China's expanding military capabilities. The People's Liberation
Army (PLA) is now a more serious threat to Taiwan's defense posture due to
developments in missile technology, air power, naval might, and cyber warfare. As a
result of this modernization, Taiwan has strengthened its ties with allies like the United
States and adopted an asymmetric warfare strategy centered on high-impact, agile
 technologies like drones, cyber defense, and anti-ship missiles. As a result of China's
military ascent, nations like Japan, Australia, and India have increased their defense
budgets and strengthened their security cooperation through partnerships like the Quad.
These changes are a result of a regional reevaluation of China's strategic intentions and
the likelihood of conflict, prompting a regional recalibration of military and diplomatic
strategies to maintain stability and deter aggression.

6.​ Discuss the economic interdependence between China and Taiwan. How does this
economic relationship both constrain and exacerbate political tensions? Consider the role of
Taiwan's semiconductor industry.
-​ China and Taiwan's economic interdependence, particularly in the semiconductor sector,
creates a complicated dynamic that both reduces and intensifies political tensions. China
is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and bilateral trade between the two countries is mostly
dependent on Taiwan's exports of cutting-edge semiconductors, especially those from
TSMC, the top chipmaker in the world. Since both economies would be severely
disrupted, this mutual reliance acts as a stabilizing force, avoiding direct conflict. But it
also causes conflict. China has tried to lessen its reliance on Taiwanese semiconductors
while simultaneously using economic means, such as trade restrictions and pressure on
Taiwanese businesses, to exert political influence. Meanwhile, Taiwan has become a
strategic hub in global supply chains due to its dominance in chip manufacturing,
garnering more support and attention from allies like the United States. The result is a
tense but economically bound relationship where shared interests prevent escalation, yet
strategic rivalry continues to grow.