The Briefing Room

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual

David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Briefing Room: Taiwan and the Threat to Peace

05/08/2021

Taiwan and the Threat to Peace

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, Taiwan and the Threat to Peace

Could tensions over Taiwan and who it belongs to lead to war?

China refers to it as a renegade province. In Taiwan, though, calls for full independence have grown in recent years. David Aaronovitch explores if tensions could lead to war.

Only a handful of small states officially recognise Taiwan as an independent country, though in many ways this democratic territory has the trappings of an independent nation. 

But Taiwan's giant neighbour, China, argues that the island is a renegade province that will one day reunify with the mainland - and Beijing reserves the right to use force to accomplish that if need be. 

In recent years the Chinese have built up their military forces substantially, including many aimed at Taiwan, and the rhetoric from Beijing remains that Taiwan belongs to China. Meanwhile calls within Taiwan for full independence have grown louder. 

The United States says it is committed to preserving the ambiguous status quo in the region and to opposing any Chinese coercion of the Taiwanese. Japan, too, has recently become more outspoken about supporting the US military forces in any possible conflict over Taiwan. 

So could the dispute over Taiwan trigger a war?

Joining David Aaronovitch in the Briefing Room are:

Margaret Hillenbrand, Associate Professor of modern Chinese culture and literature at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House.

J Michael Cole, Taipei-based Senior Fellow with the Taiwan Studies programme at Nottingham University.

Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Washington DC.

Producers: John Murphy, Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight, Jim Frank
Sound Mix: Graham Puddifoot
Editor: Jasper Corbett

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Briefing Room

Taiwan and the Threat to Peace

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4