Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Tensions

Tsai’s U.S. Transit vs. Ma’s China Visit and the Future of Taiwan

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By TaiwanPlus

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Despite over a three-decade long practice of Taiwan presidents transiting in the U.S., China reacted with threats of ‘serious confrontation.’ Miles Yu, former principal China policy and planning advisor to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and currently Hudson Institute China Center Director and Senior Fellow, tells Taiwan Talks what implications President Tsai Ing-wen’s U.S. transit and former President Ma Ying-jeou’s China visit have on the island nation’s future. He mentions repeated words from both presidents that the country’s future lies solely in the hands of the Taiwanese people. Yu believes Tsai’s transit is symbol of the goodwill between the U.S. and Taiwan and celebrating its democratic and economic achievements. Although ceremonial, he warns that any deals Ma negotiates with Chinese officials will need to be transparent and honest with the people of Taiwan. Yu also highlights record U.S. public support for Taiwan and the stark differences between its authoritarian neighbor, China.