YDS 2021 in Review

again stepped up its pursuit of
unification of former territories
throughout 2021. With greater
conviction than his predecessors,
President Xi Jinping has expressed
a strong desire to reunify Taiwan
with mainland China. A current
deterrence strategy to wane
support for Taiwanese
independence has been somewhat
successful with middle-powers, but
Beijing’s interpretation of the US’
military presence in the Taiwan
strait as “provocation” leaves the
potential for an impending use of
force. However, considering
Taiwan’s growing international
support, it is unlikely China will
pursue reunification by force in the
near future. With support from the
US and allies, China may risk
economic, diplomatic and military
isolation for violating international
laws of non-aggression which
would risk failing to achieve its
ambitious goals of modernisation
by mid-century.
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The reality of what reunification
may constitute for Taiwan has
been demonstrated clearly in Hong
Kong following the handover from
the British government. After
passing a controversial National
Security law soon after
reunification in 2020, the past year
has shown the devastating effects
of Beijing’s enforcement which has
landed several pro-democracy
protestors in prison. The city’s
freedoms and liberal democratic
institutions have been eroded
swiftly and effectively, with further
curtailment anticipated following a
December P A2021 G E Felection.
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