Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? (Asia in World Politics) [Hardcover]

Ralph N. Clough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | ISBN-10: 0847693252 | ISBN-13: 978-0847693252

The 1996 deployment of two U.S. carrier battle groups to the waters off Taiwan in response to the firing of Chinese missiles close to TaiwanOs shores brought home suddenly the genuine danger of a military clash between the United States and China over the Taiwan issue. In this timely book, distinguished analyst Ralph N. Clough assesses the intractable differences between Beijing and Taipei over the status of Taiwan, the rise and growing strength of an opposition party advocating Taiwan independence, and BeijingOs threat to use military force to prevent independence. At the same time, he weighs the moderating influence of investment and trade across the Taiwan Strait and the reopening of cross-strait dialogue. The author warns against a U.S. commitment to intervene militarily against any Chinese use of force, which could encourage Taiwan to expect U.S. backing if it declared independence; nor should Washington renounce military intervention, which would give the PRC a free hand. Instead, Clough argues for a policy of ambiguity, providing the United States the flexibility to intervene militarily or not as circumstances dictate and at the same time giving more active approval and support to cooperation between the people and governments on both sides of the strait.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Clough's] approach is a sensible and informed one, from which all parties can benefit. (Rusi Journal )

Ralph Clough's Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? is a welcome and timely addition to the literature on the Taiwan issue. Just as conflict over Taiwan once again threatens regional stability, Clough provides an authoritative study of theconflict's sources and ramifications. He [Ralph Clough] offers a comprehensive and judicious analysis of the interests of China, Taiwan and the United States. Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? will prove helpful to teachers seekinga well-written and balanced reading for students on the Taiwan issue and to specialists seeking an authorative analysis of recent developments. Its appendix includes important policy documents... (Robert Ross The China Journal )

This timely book, written by a veteran diplomat and astute observer, underscores a dilemma in international politics and American foreign policy in the post–Cold War 'new world order.'. . . This book is to be commended for its balanced analysis of the intractable China-Taiwan problem. Its policy recommendations for managing this dilemma, in which the U.S. has great stakes, are sensible. . . . This book's greatest contribution to the field is the author's painstaking documentation of incidents of cooperation. (Journal Of Asian Studies )

This book is well-written, to-the-point, conveniently organized, and sufficiently detailed to provide a wealth of information for scholars while not overwhelming the casual reader. All in all, Cooperation or Conflict deserves a place on the bookshelf for anyone interested in Chinese or Asian Affairs. (China Review International )

The book is well researched and written. It provides a very good analysis of the Taiwan issue that will be of use to both the seasoned student of Chinese-Taiwan relations as well as those looking for a succint survey of the issue. (Journal Of Strategic Studies )

[Clough's] approach is a sensible and informed one, from which all parties can benefit..... (Rusi Journal )

A remarkably comprehensive, thoroughly balanced account of the China-Taiwan relationship to date, with recommendations for future U.S. policies that should have broad appeal. In this work, a wealth of data is combined with consistently thoughtful evaluation of that data. (Robert A. Scalapino )

Ralph Clough's Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? is a welcome and timely addition to the literature on the Taiwan issue. Just as conflict over Taiwan once again threatens regional stability, Clough provides an authoritative study of the conflict's sources and ramifications. He [Ralph Clough] offers a comprehensive and judicious analysis of the interests of China, Taiwan and the United States. Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? will prove helpful to teachers seeking a well-written and balanced reading for students on the Taiwan issue and to specialists seeking an authorative analysis of recent developments. Its appendix includes important policy documents. (Robert Ross The China Journal )

About the Author

Ralph N. Clough is a former director for Chinese affairs in the Department of State and currently a professorial lecturer at the School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847693252
• ISBN-13: 978-0847693252
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,743,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opener in many respects, May 24, 2000

By 

Pierre Weydert (Zurich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cooperation or Conflict in the Taiwan Strait? (Asia in World Politics) (Paperback)

The Taiwan Strait is likely to remain a contested area in world politics for many more years to come, and now that Chen Shui-bian has taken up office as Taiwan's newly elected president, the tension in the strait will probably lose none of its intensity. However, reading this book revealed the fact that in spite of the frequent verbal skirmishes between Beijing and Taipei, lively interaction between both sides of the strait is taking place on many different levels every day: There is reciprocal economic investment, students are taking part in exchange programs, individual travel is booming and further exchanges are being encouraged in such different fields as art and sports. Interestingly enough, all this activity is continuously being overshadowed by the media hype that - unfolding in the U.S. and most European countries - has so far been quite successful in painting a bleak picture of the apparently impending clash between the David and Goliath of the Taiwan Strait. To be sure, it will never be possible to completely eliminate any anxiety that a direct confrontation between the more radical groups in both Beijing and Taipei might lead to a military conflict, but considering the economic investments, international goodwill and - last but not least - people's welfare at stake for both governments, war in the Taiwan Strait seems not a valuable option. Indeed, let it be remembered that even during the most tumultuous period of Beijing-Taipei relations to date in 1995-1996, culminating in the PRC initiating air-sea combat maneuvers in the strait, Beijing authorities sought to minimize the adverse impact on cross-strait trade and investment by sending high-ranking officials on a tour of South China to assure worried Taiwanese businessmen that the heightened political tension would not affect economic relations. Although still years away, peaceful reunification of Taiwan with mainland China is far more probable than bloody conflict, and that is an important lesson learnt from this very necessary book.