The perception of a "double standard" regarding Taiwan's presidential visits to the United States stems from the complex and unofficial nature of US-Taiwan relations. Here's a breakdown of the key factors:

• "One China" Policy: Since 1979, the United States has officially recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) and acknowledges Beijing's "One China" policy, which asserts that Taiwan is part of China. To maintain this delicate diplomatic balance, the US has ceased formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

• Unofficial Relations: Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the US maintains robust unofficial relations with Taiwan, governed by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). This act allows for commercial, cultural, and other unofficial interactions, and importantly, commits the US to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

• Transit vs. Official Visits: US policy since 1995 has generally barred Taiwan's presidents from making non-transit (i.e., official) visits to the United States. However, they have been permitted to make "transit stops" on their way to other countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. These transit stops are often described as private and unofficial, though they frequently involve meetings with US officials outside of Washington D.C.

• Balancing Act: The US approach is a continuous balancing act. On one hand, it seeks to support Taiwan's democracy and self-defense capabilities. On the other hand, it aims to avoid actions that Beijing might interpret as a fundamental shift in the "One China" policy, which could trigger significant escalation from China. China consistently protests any high-level interactions between US and Taiwanese officials, viewing them as a challenge to its sovereignty claims over Taiwan.

• Recent Developments: Reports indicate that Taiwan's current President, Lai Ching-te, recently cancelled a planned stopover in the US, with some sources suggesting it was due to US concerns about derailing trade talks with China or a potential meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This highlights the ongoing sensitivity and political considerations that influence these visits.

• Congressional Support for Taiwan: Some members of the US Congress have criticized the restrictions on Taiwan presidential visits as overly restrictive and have advocated for full US visits, arguing that such actions would be a stronger show of support for Taiwan's democracy.

In essence, the US navigates a complex diplomatic landscape where it tries to uphold its unofficial commitment to Taiwan's security and democracy while managing its relationship with China and adhering to its "One China" policy. This often results in a nuanced approach to official visits that can appear inconsistent or a "double standard" to outside observers, particularly those who advocate for stronger, more formal recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty.

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What does "One China" policy got to do with freedom of movement by a democratic goverment president?

The "One China" policy significantly impacts the freedom of movement for Taiwan's democratic government president because it's a core tenet of Beijing's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. Here's how:

1. Beijing's "One China Principle": The People's Republic of China (PRC) asserts the "One China Principle," which states that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the PRC is the sole legitimate government of all of China. From Beijing's perspective, Taiwan's president is a leader of a "renegade province," not a head of a sovereign state.

2. Diplomatic Isolation: To enforce its "One China Principle," Beijing pressures countries around the world to adopt a "One China policy" that recognizes the PRC as the sole legal government of China and, by extension, not recognize Taiwan (the Republic of China, ROC) as a sovereign state. This means countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing generally cannot have official diplomatic relations with Taipei.

3. Limits on Official Visits: Because most countries (including the United States) adhere to some form of a "One China policy" to maintain relations with the PRC, they cannot grant Taiwan's president the courtesies and recognition typically extended to a head of state from a sovereign nation.

   • No "Official" State Visits: This is why Taiwan's presidents cannot undertake "official" state visits to the US or most other major countries. An official visit would imply recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state, which would violate the "One China" policy and severely damage relations with Beijing.

   • "Transit Stops" and "Private" Engagements: Instead, when Taiwan's presidents travel through countries like the US, they are typically described as "transit stops" or "private visits." While these often involve meetings with high-level officials, they are carefully framed to avoid the appearance of official state-to-state interaction. The locations of these meetings are often outside the capital, and protocol is adjusted to underscore the "unofficial" nature.

   • Restrictions on Activities: There can also be restrictions on the activities Taiwan's president can undertake during these transits, such as limitations on public appearances, speeches, or interactions that could be perceived as overtly political or symbolic of full statehood.

4. International Organizations: The "One China" policy also severely restricts Taiwan's participation in international organizations (like the United Nations, World Health Organization, etc.) where statehood is a prerequisite for membership. Beijing actively blocks Taiwan's bids, leading to Taiwan's exclusion or forced participation under names like "Chinese Taipei" in some contexts (e.g., the Olympics).

5. Direct Pressure from Beijing: Any perceived deviation from the "One China" policy by a foreign government, such as allowing a more "official" visit by Taiwan's president, is met with strong diplomatic protests, economic coercion, and military intimidation from Beijing. This pressure often forces countries to adhere strictly to the unofficial nature of their engagements with Taiwan.

In essence, while Taiwan operates as a vibrant democracy with its own freely elected government, the "One China" policy is a diplomatic construct driven by Beijing's sovereignty claims. This construct forces other nations to make a choice between official relations with Beijing or Taipei, effectively limiting Taiwan's international space and the freedom of its democratically elected leader to move and interact on the global stage as a recognized head of state. It creates a tension between promoting democracy and respecting the geopolitical realities of the "One China" framework.

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That means America, European Union, African Union are now scared of China?

It's not simply a matter of "being scared" of China, but rather a complex interplay of economic, diplomatic, and security considerations that influence the policies of the United States and the European Union.

Here's a more nuanced breakdown:

Economic Interdependence:

• Massive Trade Volume: China is a colossal trading partner for both the US and the EU. The sheer volume of goods and services exchanged means that any major disruption could have significant economic repercussions for all parties.

• Supply Chain Reliance: Both the US and the EU have become heavily reliant on China for various manufactured goods and critical components in global supply chains. While there's a push for "de-risking" and diversification, it's a long and challenging process.

• Market Access: European and American companies want continued access to China's massive consumer market. Imposing harsh penalties or completely severing ties could lead to retaliatory measures that hurt their own industries.

• Chinese Investment: China also invests significantly in US and European economies, further entangling their economic interests.

Diplomatic and Geopolitical Considerations:

• "One China" Policy: As discussed, the "One China" policy is a fundamental diplomatic reality. While the US and EU support Taiwan's democracy, they do so within this framework to avoid outright conflict with Beijing. Deviating too far could trigger a severe crisis.

• Regional Stability: Both the US and the EU have a vested interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. A conflict over Taiwan would be devastating for global trade and security, and no one wants to be seen as the instigator.

• Global Challenges: China is a key player in addressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation. Cooperation with China is deemed necessary in these areas, and alienating Beijing entirely would make addressing these issues much harder.

• Strategic Competition: While there's economic interdependence, there's also a clear strategic competition with China in areas like technology, military influence, and geopolitical sway. The US and EU are trying to counter China's assertiveness without sparking a direct confrontation.

• Divergent Approaches: While the US and EU generally share concerns about China's human rights record, trade practices, and assertive foreign policy, their specific approaches can differ. The EU, in particular, often seeks a "strategic autonomy" that allows it to engage with China on its own terms, even if that means diverging from US policy at times.

"Fear" is too simplistic:

Instead of "fear," it's more accurate to describe it as:

• Pragmatism: Decisions are made with a realistic assessment of the potential consequences, both economic and geopolitical.

• Risk Aversion: Neither the US nor the EU wants to take actions that could inadvertently trigger a military conflict or a major economic crisis.

• Balancing Act: They are constantly trying to balance their values (democracy, human rights), their economic interests, and their security concerns in a highly complex and interconnected world.

• Influence vs. Control: China exerts significant influence through its economic power and diplomatic leverage. This doesn't necessarily mean the US and EU are "scared," but they certainly have to factor in China's reactions when formulating their policies.

In conclusion, the restricted nature of Taiwan's presidential visits is a consequence of a carefully managed diplomatic strategy, not simply an act of "being scared." It's an attempt to navigate a complex geopolitical reality where economic interdependence and the desire for regional stability weigh heavily on foreign policy decisions.