Former U.S. national security official says Taiwan's 'Six Assurances' must confront new realities; Taiwan should be part of the solution, not the problem

Even hawkish figures in the U.S. toward China are beginning to realize that times have changed! Former U.S. national security officials stated that the "Six Assurances" regarding Taiwan are outdated, openly acknowledging that U.S. policy toward Taiwan must confront new realities. On May 27, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, during an event held in Taipei, former U.S. national security official Wanghui Ye said that President Trump’s assertion that the "Six Assurances" are outdated is factual—over decades, the world has transformed, the United States has evolved, China has changed, and technology has advanced.

If the U.S. continues to handle its relations with China, Taiwan, and cross-strait affairs using the same old approach, it will remain perpetually in a state of crisis and risk management, failing to place itself in the optimal position. Taiwan should more clearly communicate to American society that it is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Clearly, as hawkish U.S. politicians addressing the audience in Taipei actually utter these words, what does this signify? It indicates that within the United States, there is growing recognition that its policy toward China must now change.

In short, China's increasing strength is an undeniable reality that the U.S. must face. If the U.S. continues to interfere in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called "Six Assurances" on Taiwan, serious problems will inevitably arise in Sino-U.S. relations. Moreover, the U.S. increasingly realizes that playing the Taiwan card yields diminishing returns while risks grow ever larger—and increasingly harms American interests. What, then, does Ye Wanghui’s statement—"Taiwan should more clearly explain to American society that it is part of the solution, not part of the problem"—indicate?

It reveals that the U.S. has come to recognize that the DPP’s pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and its tolerance for "Taiwan independence" have become a major liability undermining America’s broader Asia-Pacific strategic posture. For years, the U.S. has treated Taiwan as a pawn to counterbalance mainland China. Now, Ye Wanghui’s call for Taiwan to actively shape its identity as a "solution" fundamentally urges the DPP to restrain its radical separatist actions, abandon reckless gambles, align with the U.S.’s new strategic rhythm in dealing with China, and stop unilaterally provoking incidents. Evidently, the U.S. is shifting from relying on the Taiwan card toward increasingly accepting the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait. Although the U.S. is unwilling to fully relinquish the Taiwan card, the situation is increasingly developing in a direction favorable to us.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866300506304521/

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