Earlier this month, on August 2, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a Democratic delegation commanded headlines when they traveled to Taiwan, an independently governed East Asian country made up of 168 islands on which about 24 million people live, and which China claims. Since 1979 the U.S. has helped to maintain the defensive capabilities of the democratically governed area, although it has been vague about whether it would intervene if China attacks Taiwan.
Thank you, Heather, for this comprehensive overview of China, the Indo-Pacific, etc. You are much more helpful that most news stories - and especially the fear-mongering headlines - that have dominated. I especially appreciate that Biden and Blinken have found a third way to deal w/ China and that region. Finding that third way might be just what our country (and many people) need regarding many other issues that initially seem either-or/zero-sum.
A superb piece of writing about Taiwan, the US, China, and the Pacific---what breadth, insight, and information. This is an "awesome" post this evening. Another reason to read daily and recommend. Thank you Prof. Richardson. Peace and Courage to All.
Massive research. Maybe a record number of citation/links? All collated into a comprehensive report that reads like a story--that we who are (understatement ahead) weak in expertise in all things Asian-Pacific can understand.
BRAVO! Standing ovation to my favorite historian! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This fills in the major gap in the public's understanding of our relationship with China, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific sphere which has been absent from the mainstream media. It also adds another large eagle feather in President Biden's cap. We have never had a President with more experience and expertise in foreign affairs than President Biden. And, Secretary of State Blinken has been at his side for many years. What a team they make! So, putting NATO back together and stronger than it has ever been and now making sure we have a similar strong alliance in the Indo-Pacific. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a South Pacific Treaty Organization. It gives me great hope that American will someday soon be an admired leader of democracy around the world once again. The Phoenix is rising!
Thank you for another detailed analysis complete with important insights. The recently signed Chips Act invoked much displeasure on the part of the Chinese. Ironically it will be Taiwan which will face the largest loss of jobs it would seem. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and others, will partner in the US effort and collaboration will lead to continued viability for those nations principle exports. At the same time jobs are coming to America in a way not seen for decades. I have been trying out conversation stoppers such as: "I understand President Biden is bringing more jobs to American than any President before him". The looks are amazing.
"Yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, six months into the job, did his first television interview."
Nick Burns was a couple years behind me in high school and has been my "go to person" on foreign policy for a long time. I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Boston in February 2020 - he was a consultant to the Biden campaign. As a sidebar, there was speculation from others who know Burns, that had Hillary won against trump, Nick probably would have been the top candidate for Secretary of State.
I introduced myself after the forum (he doesn't know me from Adam!) and we reminisced about the 'ole hometown. He is the type of person who, when you have a conversation, you are the only person in the room and you have his full attention - hence his very successful diplomatic career. I had no doubt that when Biden appointed him as Ambassador to China that he was an excellent choice and was going to have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. But, if anyone is up to the task it is Ambassador Burns.
While having a madman occupy the WH, one of the biggest things I obsessed about (and there were sooooo many) is that the U.S. lost the opportunity (with, as it turns out now, dire consequences) to have qualified, compassionate, and experienced people throughout government and representing us overseas. IMO, Biden has done an incredible job in using his extensive network to find the best people for the most difficult positions. It remains beyond comprehension that there is a slug of millions of people who are so ignorant (with a dose of evil) that they would continue to support a madman who is so destructive to this country and the world order.
Wow, Dr. R! Thank you, as always! for such a succinct explanation of why it was important we went to Taiwan and what this means in the larger political picture!
Thank you! Really. Thank you, Professor! Once again, stunning writing about stunning developments as democratic principles are encouraged and supported by the Biden administration. I just wish these achievements could get as much press as Trump’s scurrilous behavior. Your letters should be read by every American. Thank you!
Not only did your letter focus on the positive steps the Biden administration and members of Congress have take to reestablish positive relationships with Asian nations, but you did so by mentioning the former guy’s name only once. Bravo!
Thank you HCR. This important connection with the Asian Pacific countries, beyond the historical exploitation for corporations and cheap consumer goods is a step that shows we value the governments and people of the Southeast Asian nations. Your note: “…But with no guaranteed access to U.S. markets, there was uncertainty about how effective the administration’s calls for better labor and environmental standards would be.” I hope Humanitarian standards will be part of the deal, at least with long term planning. And with Climate Change and human rights front and center.
Xi Jinping has himself to blame, having decided he will become the second Mao (as if the first one wasn't bad enough). I have friends in Hong Kong, and when one of them was here on business and we had lunch, he curled my ears, telling me what has happened to that once great and free place under the Chinese Communists. So far as I am concerned, China needs containment like the USSR did. If you read Asian history, you will find that when the Chinese Empire was great, it was not loved by any of its neighbors.
So this Letter was the mysterious rabbit hole? A huge amount of research went into it, judging by the number of notes. I am so grateful to understand better all the background and reasoning for our involvement in the region. Now Pelosi’s visit makes sense to me. I couldn’t understand the timing of it until now. Thank you, thank you yet again Prof.. Richardson!
Thank you for this summary of our relationship with Taiwan and other countries and also how China is being affected. It is nice to know that the Biden administration is doing well in this area as well after death star put us at a disadvantage with these countries.
A brilliant piece, Heather! Thank you for bringing all the players together with such clarity and élan. Nancy Pelosi’s role makes so much more sense now.
“The U.S. and Taiwan, which was not included in the earlier economic organization, will start formal trade talks in the fall.”
Thank you, Heather, for this comprehensive overview of China, the Indo-Pacific, etc. You are much more helpful that most news stories - and especially the fear-mongering headlines - that have dominated. I especially appreciate that Biden and Blinken have found a third way to deal w/ China and that region. Finding that third way might be just what our country (and many people) need regarding many other issues that initially seem either-or/zero-sum.
Wow! So while the Republicans blather on about strength and greatness, “Sleepy Joe” masterfully orchestrates building alliances with true power.
A superb piece of writing about Taiwan, the US, China, and the Pacific---what breadth, insight, and information. This is an "awesome" post this evening. Another reason to read daily and recommend. Thank you Prof. Richardson. Peace and Courage to All.
Massive research. Maybe a record number of citation/links? All collated into a comprehensive report that reads like a story--that we who are (understatement ahead) weak in expertise in all things Asian-Pacific can understand.
No one does it better than our Professor!
Thank you.
BRAVO! Standing ovation to my favorite historian! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This fills in the major gap in the public's understanding of our relationship with China, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific sphere which has been absent from the mainstream media. It also adds another large eagle feather in President Biden's cap. We have never had a President with more experience and expertise in foreign affairs than President Biden. And, Secretary of State Blinken has been at his side for many years. What a team they make! So, putting NATO back together and stronger than it has ever been and now making sure we have a similar strong alliance in the Indo-Pacific. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a South Pacific Treaty Organization. It gives me great hope that American will someday soon be an admired leader of democracy around the world once again. The Phoenix is rising!
Thank you for another detailed analysis complete with important insights. The recently signed Chips Act invoked much displeasure on the part of the Chinese. Ironically it will be Taiwan which will face the largest loss of jobs it would seem. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and others, will partner in the US effort and collaboration will lead to continued viability for those nations principle exports. At the same time jobs are coming to America in a way not seen for decades. I have been trying out conversation stoppers such as: "I understand President Biden is bringing more jobs to American than any President before him". The looks are amazing.
"Yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, six months into the job, did his first television interview."
Nick Burns was a couple years behind me in high school and has been my "go to person" on foreign policy for a long time. I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Boston in February 2020 - he was a consultant to the Biden campaign. As a sidebar, there was speculation from others who know Burns, that had Hillary won against trump, Nick probably would have been the top candidate for Secretary of State.
I introduced myself after the forum (he doesn't know me from Adam!) and we reminisced about the 'ole hometown. He is the type of person who, when you have a conversation, you are the only person in the room and you have his full attention - hence his very successful diplomatic career. I had no doubt that when Biden appointed him as Ambassador to China that he was an excellent choice and was going to have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. But, if anyone is up to the task it is Ambassador Burns.
While having a madman occupy the WH, one of the biggest things I obsessed about (and there were sooooo many) is that the U.S. lost the opportunity (with, as it turns out now, dire consequences) to have qualified, compassionate, and experienced people throughout government and representing us overseas. IMO, Biden has done an incredible job in using his extensive network to find the best people for the most difficult positions. It remains beyond comprehension that there is a slug of millions of people who are so ignorant (with a dose of evil) that they would continue to support a madman who is so destructive to this country and the world order.
Wow, Dr. R! Thank you, as always! for such a succinct explanation of why it was important we went to Taiwan and what this means in the larger political picture!
Thank you! Really. Thank you, Professor! Once again, stunning writing about stunning developments as democratic principles are encouraged and supported by the Biden administration. I just wish these achievements could get as much press as Trump’s scurrilous behavior. Your letters should be read by every American. Thank you!
Not only did your letter focus on the positive steps the Biden administration and members of Congress have take to reestablish positive relationships with Asian nations, but you did so by mentioning the former guy’s name only once. Bravo!
Thank you HCR. This important connection with the Asian Pacific countries, beyond the historical exploitation for corporations and cheap consumer goods is a step that shows we value the governments and people of the Southeast Asian nations. Your note: “…But with no guaranteed access to U.S. markets, there was uncertainty about how effective the administration’s calls for better labor and environmental standards would be.” I hope Humanitarian standards will be part of the deal, at least with long term planning. And with Climate Change and human rights front and center.
Wow, that's quite the rabbit hole!
Thank you!
Xi Jinping has himself to blame, having decided he will become the second Mao (as if the first one wasn't bad enough). I have friends in Hong Kong, and when one of them was here on business and we had lunch, he curled my ears, telling me what has happened to that once great and free place under the Chinese Communists. So far as I am concerned, China needs containment like the USSR did. If you read Asian history, you will find that when the Chinese Empire was great, it was not loved by any of its neighbors.
So this Letter was the mysterious rabbit hole? A huge amount of research went into it, judging by the number of notes. I am so grateful to understand better all the background and reasoning for our involvement in the region. Now Pelosi’s visit makes sense to me. I couldn’t understand the timing of it until now. Thank you, thank you yet again Prof.. Richardson!
Thank you for this summary of our relationship with Taiwan and other countries and also how China is being affected. It is nice to know that the Biden administration is doing well in this area as well after death star put us at a disadvantage with these countries.
A brilliant piece, Heather! Thank you for bringing all the players together with such clarity and élan. Nancy Pelosi’s role makes so much more sense now.
“The U.S. and Taiwan, which was not included in the earlier economic organization, will start formal trade talks in the fall.”