From Palestine to Taiwan: What Can Recognition Achieve in War?
In response to Israel’s ongoing bombing of Gaza, the UK, France and other Western countries have moved to recognize a Palestinian State, but could the same approach be used to deter a hypothetical invasion of Taiwan by China? The 1933 Montevideo Convention gives four criteria for statehood: (1) permanent population, (2) defined territory, (3) government, and (4) capacity to enter into relations with other states. Taiwan meets these criteria more than Palestine. Only Beijing’s hostile political pressure stands in the way of full international recognition of Taiwan. Yet what happens if China crosses the implicit red line in the 1979 US Taiwan Relations Act that “the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means”? In this episode, our guests discuss the past, present and potential future of the One-China policy and Taiwan statehood. *Recorded on September 26, 2025 at 11:00am Taiwan Standard Time Host: Yin Khvat Our guests: Julian Ku - Hofstra University Faculty Director of International Programs Liou To-Hai - National Chengchi University College of International Affairs Adjunct Distinguished Professor John Eastwood - Eiger Law Firm Managing Partner
