Munk Dialogue with Zhou Bo: Why China sees Taiwan as its biggest national security concern
Jan 2, 2024
auto_awesome
Retired senior colonel of China's PLA and senior fellow at Tsinghua University, Zhou Bo, discusses why Taiwan is China's biggest national security concern, the South China Sea disputes, and lessons from the war in Ukraine. Integration between China and Taiwan is seen as inevitable.
China considers Taiwan as its biggest national security concern due to its emphasis on territorial defense and national defense.
China perceives US-led efforts to develop security ties with countries in Asia as a containment strategy due to the US's declining influence.
Deep dives
China's concerns with Taiwan's national security
China considers Taiwan to be its biggest national security concern due to its emphasis on territorial and national defense. China's unique position as a major power that has not reunified sets it apart, and peaceful reunification with Taiwan is seen as a natural goal. However, there is debate about the level of patience and the question of whether they are becoming impatient. China has been implementing measured actions and exercises, showing their ability to handle the situation. The United States' arming of Taiwan is regarded as provocative, but its significance is questioned, especially when compared to China's military advances. The U.S. strategy of turning Taiwan into a porcupine is seen as a way to support democracy and benefit the military-industrial complex. The situation is complex, and China's response to these actions may vary.
China's perception of the U.S. and regional alliances
China perceives the U.S.-led efforts to develop security ties with countries like Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea as a containment strategy. China believes the U.S. is relying on allies and partners due to its declining influence. While Japan may have treaty obligations, Australia's commitment is uncertain. The Philippines' alignment is influenced by historical connections with the United States, but China finds their recent actions, opening up bases for U.S. use, puzzling. China has not threatened force in response to the South China Sea issue. China believes that integration between mainland China and Taiwan is inevitable and can be fostered as long as China continues to open up and provide opportunities. The larger American strategy in the region is seen as an attempt to contain China, but it lacks adequate tools and consensus.
China's peaceful rise and hopes for a safer world
China's rise is viewed as peaceful, with a commitment to humanitarian operations overseas. China aims to become the largest economy in the world and hopes to make the world safer through its growing influence. Chinese officials perceive war as unpopular, emphasizing efforts to avoid a hot war. Instead of engaging in conflicts, China focuses on enhancing interactions and integration with other countries. China's military is committed to humanitarian missions, peacekeeping, and disaster relief. China believes it can contribute to global safety and wishes to rise peacefully to provide assistance and enhance understanding among nations.
On this Munk Dialogue we are speaking to one of China’s leading experts on military strategy and security. Zhou Bo is a retired senior colonel of China's People's Liberation Army and a senior fellow of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. He was also a director at the Ministry of National Defence of China. In this wide-reaching conversation, Bo talks about why Taiwan is the biggest national security concern for China, regional disputes over the South China Sea, and lessons that Chinese leaders are taking away from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership
Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, access to our Friday Focus podcast, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/
Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Editor: Kieran Lynch
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
