Taiwan to Build Airport in the Spratly Islands

The story originally came out on Dec 16th.  Rereading it now, what's striking is the tone Taiwan's pro-communist party takes on the issue:

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Su Chi (蘇起) criticized the plan, saying it is likely to trigger an international dispute in light of the sensitive strategic and political implications involving the Spratlys.

It should be noted that the "international dispute" the legislator alludes to so politely would be with China.  Is this the same KMT that craved a "battle to force a settlement" with Japan over the Senkakus Islands?  One can only conclude that the KMT's hostility towards potential democratic allies is matched only by the warmth that it feels towards communist dictatorships.

Still, the KMT legislator has a point.  Why should Taiwan needlessly upset China?  It was only after reading an opinion piece in the Taipei Times that it became clear why Taiwan's anti-communist party would want to proceed with these plans:

...after the completion of the runway on Itu Aba, either the president or vice president should fly to the island and make a policy statement regarding Taiwan and the role it will play in the South China Sea, Southeast Asia and the Taiwan Strait.

If circumstances are too sensitive for either of these officials to visit the island, the government should consider inviting the mayor of Kaohsiung or the mayor of Taipei to do so in their place.

In the same way that Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara took a boat to the southernmost point of Japanese territory before unveiling a plaque and going diving off Okino Torishima, Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) could go swimming or jogging around the island of Itu Aba.

(The commentator jests at the expense of Ma Ying-jeou.  As Taiwan's pro-communist leader, it'll be highly unlikely to ever see him stick his finger in Beijing's eye.)

What the writer really points out is that the airport serves the purpose of demonstrating to the Taiwanese public that the pro-communists are not the only ones willing to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.  Earlier this year, the pro-communists scored points with nationalists for pressing Taiwan's claims to the Senkakus; now, the anti-communists gain favor for their assertiveness in the Spratlys.

Moreover, the move is a win-win proposition for Taiwan's anti-communists.  If China does nothing, then the anti-communists take the credit for facing them down.  And if China takes aggressive action, well, Taiwanese public opinion turns against China...and Taiwan's pro-communists.

UPDATE (Jan 5/06):  To date, Vietnam has been the only one to lodge protests against this move.  Nonetheless, the basic logic still holds - if the nationalism game has to be played, then it's best played against countries that won't help Taiwan in the event of an attack by the Chinese.

UPDATE (Jan 6/06):  Over on Strategy Page, they predict the Philippines will also protest Taiwan's move, while China will either remain neutral or help to advance Taiwan's claims behind the scenes.  We shall see.

Comments

[Michael Turton]

I wish I hadn't stopped the Friday roundup. This is a great piece.

Michael