Page 16 - NorthAmOil Week 49

NorthAmOil GUEST COMMENT NorthAmOil

Persuade, invade, blockade:

what is Beijing’s best

strategy to reunify Taiwan?

ASIA A few months ago a poll of Taiwanese voters unstoppable force towards an immovable
revealed that popular desire for independence object has turned the spotlight onto the mil-
from China is hardening: 54% of respondents itary options open to Beijing – options antic-
wanted early independence, while only 12.5% ipated and authorised by Article 8 of China’s
wanted unification with Beijing. Hardening atti- 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which states that if
tudes in Taiwan reflect hardening attitudes in Taiwan will not unify peacefully it must (the
Beijing, where President Xi (actually Chairman Law says “shall”, not “may”) be unified by force
Xi, but let’s skip that detail) has unequivocally of arms.
and repeatedly declared his intention to achieve Taiwan lives entirely on imported energy,
unification, probably before he retires, whenever importing 1mn barrels per day of oil and 2bn
that might be. cubic metres of gas per month. War with China
The approach of what looks like an would be a disaster. ™

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P16 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 49 10•December•2020