Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor during the Biden administration, stated that America's "One China" policy is strange, but it has been effective in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait over the past few decades. The question now is whether this complex and contradictory formula can continue to hold. He believes that the U.S. should maintain its "One China" policy and "strategic ambiguity," carefully handling the situation across the Taiwan Strait through diplomacy with Beijing.

According to a report by China Review News Agency, Sullivan held a dialogue on "The Resonance of American Foreign Policy at Home" with CEO Dalle of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on the evening of the 29th. One topic was: how did the Taiwan issue evolve when the Trump administration tried to reach a deal with China through tariff measures?

Sullivan said: For decades, America's policy toward Taiwan has been very strange. The wording of America's "One China" policy sounds confusing. It’s like multiple contradictions intertwined, along with "strategic ambiguity." This is indeed strange, so why is the U.S. in this position? However, it has worked for decades; it has maintained basic peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait; it has prevented war. The question is, can this formula continue to hold?

Sullivan believes that the U.S. has a responsibility to continue this strange policy. Maintain the "One China" policy; keep "strategic ambiguity"; support Taiwan's deterrence through arms sales; maintain diplomatic channels with Beijing, and handle the Taiwan Strait situation very cautiously.

"I do think there is a real possibility of a crisis emerging in Taiwan, but I don't think it is inevitable. I believe it can be prevented through continuous statecraft and diplomacy," Sullivan said.

Dalle asked: Biden has said four times that he would defend Taiwan. As the National Security Advisor, how do you handle it when the president says something you don’t want him to say?

Sullivan argued: As an experienced politician, Biden likes to speak frankly about the essence of things. If the National Security Advisor told him to maintain strategic ambiguity, not to answer, and to avoid, he wouldn't do that. That's not Biden's style. When asked hypothetical questions, will he answer? Yes; has his policy changed? No. Biden likes to be in this space. In his view, this is not avoiding hypothetical questions, but a reaffirmation. Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed that America's "One China" policy has not changed and its policies have not changed.

How is it possible to say yes to defending Taiwan while maintaining strategic ambiguity? Sullivan said that this is the inherent peculiarity of America's Taiwan policy, which has actually worked over the decades. Sullivan said that every time he heard Biden say this while sitting in the audience, he felt uneasy because he would answer differently. Sullivan immersed himself in the delicate expression of Taiwan policy, while Biden, facing voters, likes to speak frankly rather than give roundabout answers.

Dalle responded: In this regard, Trump and Biden have similarities—they only say what they need to say to convey to their audiences, but Rubio’s leadership ability may differ slightly from Sullivan’s.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833588929696772/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.