No missiles required: How China is buying Taiwan’s 're-unification'

Since 2009, four rounds of cross-strait investment liberalization have occurred. All play into efforts by Beijing to tighten its grip on the island and turn its democracy against itself 

While experts continue to look at the rapidly expanding military capabilities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the greatest threat to Taiwan’s sovereignty, Beijing would much prefer bringing about “re-unification” without having to fire a single missile. Ongoing cross-strait investment liberalization could help make that possible.

The key to the strategy is two-fold. First, flooding Taiwan’s economy with Chinese investment and second, ensuring that a greater number of Chinese are in positions of authority on the island.

My article, published today in The Diplomat, continues here. (Photo by the author)