The close ties between the US and Taiwan are shifting on an indirect linkage to China. While the US was once seen as a protector of Taiwan against an increasingly aggressive foreign policy of China, the island nation is re-assessing its relationship with the mainland. The shift in diplomacy is related to the recognition that China is rapidly becoming the dominant economic and military power in Asia, along with India, and has expanded its capabilities beyond that of the democratic Island off its shores. While the potential for conflict still remains, travelers will find a much more open, liberalized China policy in Taiwan, where mainland travelers now come and go with relative ease.
Secretary of State Clinton has begun to open up relations with China to evaluate economic, military and cultural interactions between the two countries. While military leaders stress that the US must be able to protect Taiwan, the threat of conflict is much lower than it has been in recent years. With the growing economic ties between the countries, talks have largely focused on establishing a cultural and economic equilibrium in trade that will be mutually beneficial. In this context, Taiwan represents a political more than a military question, and travelers should feel safe on the Island.
While the US still supports the island with military technology, Defense Secretary Gates has opened up a strategic dialogue with China to ward off any potential conflicts. The US still maintains an active presence in the region, including the USS Washington, a nuclear-capable carrier with over 60 aircraft, as well as strong ties to neighboring Japan and India.
