Face Off: China, The United States, And Taiwan's Democratization [Paperback]

John W. Garver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2011

The first book to look at Taiwan's first presidential election, in the spring of 1996, which sparked a China-U.S. military showdown.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Analytically organized, ably argued and well documented, and very readable." -- Book Reviews- China "An excellent in-depth analysis of the 1996 crisis... Garver also raises thought-provoking policy issues with regard to China and Taiwan, challenging American policy makers to define U.S. policy interests in Taiwan clearly and think through the problem of how to cope with a rising China." -- China Review International

About the Author

HISASI

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (May 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295976179
• ISBN-13: 978-0295976174
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,247,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, Perceptive Analysis of the 1996 Crisis, February 7, 2002

By 

"aloof_cow" (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Face Off: China, The United States, And Taiwan's Democratization (Paperback)

In this book, Garver recounts the events that led to the 1996 missile crisis between Taiwan and China and explains the significance it has to the U.S. He begins by explaining how U.S.-PRC relations underwent increased uncertainty and instability due to the emergence of a democratic Taiwan. Taiwan's abolishment of martial law in 1987 allowed it to gain sympathy from other nations. This factor, reinforced by Taiwan's growing economic influence, allowed for it to expand its participation in international society and gradually drift away from China. China, on the other hand, faced growing international contempt due to the Tiananmen massacre. Furthermore, the Chinese government felt that its aspirations to rise as a world power was being thwarted by the U.S., as it believed that the U.S. was stopping China's growth through economic pressure and an excessive focus on human rights. The political and economic growth of Taiwan, coupled by China's belief that the U.S. was supporting such development, eventually prompted China to engage in large-scale military exercises geared towards Taiwan. The first wave occurred in 1995, during Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's visit to Cornell University, and the second wave occurred during Taiwan's first presidential election in 1996. The U.S. took a hard line on such actions, as it dispatched two aircraft carriers from the Persian Gulf to ensure that tensions did not escalate in the Taiwan Strait.

Given the ambiguous position the U.S. has taken on the Taiwan issue, Garver believes that the 1996 crisis did assist in answering some critical questions about U.S. policy and its underlying intentions. It indicates that at least under certain circumstances, in the case of a Chinese attack, the U.S. will provide a degree of protection to Taiwan. The U.S. stance will increase the costs of China to employ military means to achieve unification, and will serve as an additional factor China must consider before it engages in such a war. What Garver cannot predict, however, is the U.S. response in the case that Taiwan recklessly provokes China and declares independence.