How important is taiwan's position? Why did the u. S.-japan general turn a blind eye to our taiwan tiger
Key maritime nodes in asia
Taiwan province is situated on the continental shelf off the south-eastern coast of china and consists of dozens of islands such as taiwan's own island, the island of jae-lee and the island of fishing. The total area is 36,000 square kilometres, with a population of approximately 23 million. Ninety-eight per cent of them are of the han ethnic group, almost all of them from mainland china, and are of the same origin as their continental counterparts。
As far back as the three countries, sun quan sent wing and zhuge to taiwan, where more than 10,000 people were brought into our territory. Taiwan later became an important node of our ancient maritime silk road。
In modern times, its position is equally critical. Taiwan's island is located east of the pacific ocean, west of the taiwan strait, west of the east sea, south of the south sea and, in contrast to the philippines islands, is a key point of communication between north-east asia and south-east asia, the indian ocean and the pacific. Taiwan's location determines that it is both a maritime hub for economic development and an important barrier to national security。
Japanese and south korean energy imports have to pass
In terms of economic trade, the taiwan strait is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, carrying about 40 per cent of global maritime trade. More than 80 per cent of the oil and gas imported by china and japan from the middle east in europe are passing through the taiwan strait. The number of ships travelling here each year exceeds 100,000 and is almost more busy than in the straits。
As a small island, japan and korea lacked indigenous resources and were almost entirely dependent on imports of energy. If taiwan were to return to mainland china, the necessary route for transportation of energy from japan and korea would also be mastered and would amount to being strangled with “lifeline”。
While they can also choose to bypass, they need to travel more than 1,000 nautical miles. Corresponding oil costs increased by about 20 per cent and the time was 2-4 days. Such an increase in costs would be a severe blow to the indigenous manufacturing sector in japan and korea and would reduce the global competitiveness of their products. As a result, japan and korea have frequently been bad and want to delay the return of taiwan。
The first island chain collapsed
From a strategic perspective, taiwan's place is equally important. At the beginning of the cold war in 1951, the united states proposed a “panel of the three islands of the pacific” to hold back the rise of china and to reduce the space for action in the countries of the asian continent, particularly in my country。
One of them, the closest to our first island chain, was called the “unsinkable carrier”. It consists of the japanese islands, the ryukyu islands, the taiwan islands, the philippines islands and the grand duttar islands. Once taiwan returns, the backbone of this united states strategy will cease to exist and the first island chain will collapse. China will also take ownership of the pacific。
In particular, the eastern coast of taiwan, facing the pacific ocean, reaches 1,000 metres at a depth of 5 kilometres from the coast and 6,000 metres at an average depth across the sea. Nuclear submarines that come out of the sea from here are very difficult to detect in the deep sea and can disappear. It is well suited to serve as a naval base in the pacific ocean to protect national security。
In addition, if taiwan were to be the centre of the island to the west of hainan, the north shore islands would be able to construct a triangular defence line. The creation of a strong shield for the economic lifeline of our south-eastern coast, on the one hand, and the enhancement of our strategic depth, on the other. The history of taiwan's return cannot be altered, however intrusive these forces may be。
References:
Taiwan straits do not exist in the so-called “international waters” - xinhua network
Taiwan strait: china's energy and foreign trade logistics “leaves” — first logistics network
Where we live, we become japanese, american carriers, lightnet
What roles each of the three island chains plays - the china cope network
Analysis of the impact of tension in the taiwan strait on the oil industry — snowball
