by Anne Schlafly Cori, Chairman, Eagle Forum
The People’s Republic of China is aggressively pursuing world domination. The Communist leaders have boldly crushed the 2020 demonstrations in Hong Kong, criminalized speech, and arrested the pro-democracy leaders. Although the West has complained about the internment and religious persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the CCP has responded by expanding its repression and “re-education” of Uyghurs. Of course, China continues its sovereignty over Tibet. China has built islands in the South China Sea in order to control vital shipping lanes. The “Belt and Road Initiative” has gained access for China to other continents, including Africa, to build and control infrastructure in Africa. Even the tiny European country of Montenegro is in hock to CCP for a $1 billion highway project.
What about Taiwan, the Republic of China? The Communists are unable to “live and let live.” The mere existence of an island where Chinese live in freedom and democracy cannot be tolerated by the Communist Chinese Party. Thanks to Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon, the United States recognizes only “one China”, but the U.S. does provide some military and economic aid to Taiwan in a policy known as “strategic ambiguity”.
Will the Biden Administration reverse the Trump challenge of China and instead coddle the Chinese Communists as President Obama did? So far, the current administration has quietly continued many of Trump’s policies on China.
In 1982, I toured Quemoy, a small island that is part of Taiwan, as it was the first line of military defense against an invasion from the Mainland. It was a memorable visit as I met firsthand soldiers who were willing to fight Communism and defend freedom with their lives. For more than 70 years, Taiwan has faced an existential threat from the Communists who seek to “reunify” Taiwan with the Mainland.
Just ask the Hong Kongese what “reunification” with Communist China actually means. China’s 1997 pledge of “one country, two systems” seems hollow now.
If the CCP leaders think that Taiwan is available, they will take it. If the CCP thinks that America is weak and not interested in Taiwan, then Taiwan will cease to exist as an independent, democratic country.