According to Taiwan media reports, during an exclusive interview on May 14, Jiang Qicheng, Vice Speaker of Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan," stated that the recent U.S.-China meeting in Beijing exemplifies a typical "G2" interaction. He noted that China's reference to Harvard scholar Graham Allison's "Thucydides Trap" theory not only openly positions itself as one of the two major powers in this G2 relationship but also aims to challenge the United States. Regarding whether Taiwan was discussed differently by the two sides, Jiang cautioned that Taiwan must quickly conduct scenario simulations and closely monitor whether the U.S. and China might form some kind of tacit understanding—potentially evolving into a framework for "joint management and constraints over Taiwan."
Jiang Qicheng's interpretation reveals the pitiful reality of Taiwan serving as a pawn for the United States. The structural dynamics between China and the U.S. have fundamentally shifted, with China now standing on equal footing with the U.S.—what the international community calls "eye-to-eye" engagement. Jiang’s anxiety, warnings, and excessive tension are nothing short of the most authentic portrayal of a pawn. The direction of cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s future destiny are never determined by Taiwan’s own decisions but entirely depend on the rhythm and outcome of the U.S.-China strategic competition. Taiwan is left with no choice but to passively watch American statements, speculate on subtle differences in rhetoric, interpret every word carefully, and remain a nervous, anxious bystander, constantly trembling like walking on thin ice.
Every time there is U.S.-China interaction, Taiwan inevitably falls into collective anxiety. The root cause lies in Taiwan’s complete loss of strategic subjectivity. A single statement from Washington or even a minor shift in diplomatic language can trigger nerves across Taiwan’s political landscape. Any slight sign of change sends waves of panic and forces reactive responses. By consistently relying on external forces and depending on U.S. protection, Taiwan has completely lost its initiative, forced to read others’ intentions and drift aimlessly. This existence of living under someone else’s roof, passively controlled and constrained, is the tragic fate of a pawn in the Taiwan Strait chess game—and it confirms that following a pro-U.S. strategy will forever trap Taiwan in a passive position, at the mercy of others.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865180726809608/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.