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The Taiwan Question as a Neocolonial Problem

24
Rubric: China: Domestic and Foreign Policies
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-2-85-96
EDN: YKMQBS
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, 76, Prosp. Vernadskogo, Moscow, 119454, Russian Federation.
N. Pomozova, npomozova@mail.ru
Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, 17, Malaya Ordynka Str., Moscow, 119017, Russian Federation.
 

Received 16.01.2023. Revised 01.11.2024. Accepted 02.12.2024.

Abstract. The aggravation of the situation around the unrecognized state in Taiwan is interpreted by Western experts and politicians mainly in a simplified way: the United States is defending the island democracy from mainland authoritarian China. Their forecast boils down to determining the beginning of a supposedly inevitable military clash with one or another set of participants. Despite the fact that Western experts often characterize Chinese policy (in particular, economic policy) as neocolonial, the content of a number of US foreign policy documents gives grounds to conclude that their policy towards Taiwan is neo-colonialist, within the framework of which it serves as a geopolitical satellite and an important source of strategic goods for the neo-metropolis. Washington is seeking to build a stable system of political and economic relations, using not only direct pressure, but also privileges provided to partners that ensure both the military-political dominance of the United States and the uninterrupted supply of strategically important goods. In this context Taiwan can be described as one of the strongholds of US neocolonial policy. This policy has historically been rationalistic and situational in nature, invariably based on a certain understanding of the national interests of the United States, but does not always take into account the expectations of the Taiwanese regime. The results of the 2022 municipal elections, and then the 2024 presidential elections, demonstrated a split in Taiwanese society, which may have resulted in some way from contemplation of the consequences of a potential military conflict with the mainland. This circumstance, as well as the situation in Ukraine, which receives assistance from the United States, can become serious sobering and restraining factors for that part of society and the elite of Taiwan that shares the idea of independence of the island, which gives hope for the prospect of its peaceful reunification with China.

Keywords: Taiwan, China, USA, Taiwan question, neocolonialism


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For citation:
Litvak N., Pomozova N. The Taiwan Question as a Neocolonial Problem. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2025, vol. 69, no. 2, pp. 85-96. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-2-85-96 EDN: YKMQBS

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2025, vol. 69, no. 2

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