As Trump undermines Americas global standing, China gains influence, but Xi Jinpings ambitions for Taiwan threaten to derail its rise, writes DrMark Beeson.
CHINAS INTERNATIONAL reputation has been given a significant boost lately, largely thanks to its principal competitor for global influence.
The Trump Administration hasprofoundly underminedthe international order the United States created and dominated in the aftermath of World War 2.
It is testimony to the idiocy of the current American President that he seems incapable of recognising the damage he is doing to his countrys international reputation or the very real benefits that flowed to the U.S.
from its economic, political and strategic dominance.
In short, the United States is increasingly seen as untrustworthy, unreliable and, in the case of Trump and his coterie of advisors and cronies,unhinged.
Chinese PresidentXi Jinping, by contrast, cultivates an image of technocratic competence and predictability.
In Trumps place, Xi has assumed the role of achampion of multilateralismand the underrepresented Global South, which never got much of a look-in under American-style hegemony.
As authoritarians go, Xi projects an image of buttoned-down, studious calm not someone who is likely to start World War 3.
As Trump and Xi prepare to meet, the worlds mounting crises demand cooperation that neither leader seems willing or able to deliver.
Unfortunately, there is one issue that might overturn this comparatively benign picture and even trigger the sort of apocalypse so many of thetech titans who surround Trumpfear.
The status of Taiwan, which the Peoples Republic considers to be a renegade province, is a historical problem that must be resolved if China is to assume its rightful place at the forefront of nations.
Xi and the Chinese Communist Party are not the only ones who think this; the general population is overwhelmingly supportive, too, especially if it can be achieved throughdiplomacy.
I was reminded of how important this issue is in China when I recently received an invitation to speak at aconference onUpholding the One-China Principle and Safeguarding Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait, hosted by theGraduate Institute for Taiwan Studies, Xiamen University.
Delighted as I was to receive another invitation to visit China, I discovered a hitherto unsuspected streak of academic integrity.
The whole conference was dedicated to explaining, enhancing and legitimatingXis claimthat: At least we know where he and the CCP stand.
The problem is that the Taiwanese population are generally not keen on the idea, especially when they saw what happened to Hong Kong after its reunification with the....
