Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's recent call for a law enabling popular referendums quickly turned into an international crisis. China, fearing that the law could be used to move Taiwan towards independence, reacted strongly even before the referendum bill was approved by the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament.
Major General Wang Zaixi, Deputy Director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, warned of the use of force if Taiwanese authorities "collude with separatist forces to openly engage in pro-independence activities and challenge the mainland and the one-China principle."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was slightly more civil. In an interview with an American newspaper, he reminded Taiwan that China would "pay any price to safeguard the unity of the motherland."
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With elevated global inflation likely to persist for some time, the prospect of competitive exchange-rate appreciations is looming larger. Instead of a race to the bottom in the currency market, there may be a scramble to the top – and poorer countries will likely suffer the most.
warns that a series of competitive exchange-rate appreciations would hurt poorer economies the most.
Neither the invasion of Ukraine nor the deepening cold war between the West and China came out of the blue. The world has been increasingly engaged over the past half-decade, or longer, in a struggle between two diametrically opposed systems of governance: open society and closed society.
frames the war in Ukraine as the latest battle for open-society ideals – one that implicates China as well.
Shlomo Ben-Ami
highlights the lessons countries like China and Iran are drawing from Vladimir Putin’s aggression, offers advice to Ukrainian peace negotiators, and considers the wisdom of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.
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Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's recent call for a law enabling popular referendums quickly turned into an international crisis. China, fearing that the law could be used to move Taiwan towards independence, reacted strongly even before the referendum bill was approved by the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament.
Major General Wang Zaixi, Deputy Director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, warned of the use of force if Taiwanese authorities "collude with separatist forces to openly engage in pro-independence activities and challenge the mainland and the one-China principle."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was slightly more civil. In an interview with an American newspaper, he reminded Taiwan that China would "pay any price to safeguard the unity of the motherland."
To continue reading, register now.
As a registered user, you can enjoy more PS content every month – for free.
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