• Taiwan conflict could reshape world
• China signals could indicate conflict
• U.S. supports Taiwan despite tensions
• Taiwan conflict risks global alliances
• Taiwan war would transform world

Taiwan conflict could reshape world

5 Reasons Why a Taiwan Conflict Could Reshape the World Order

In a speech delivered in Honolulu, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, warned that a conflict over Taiwan could have global repercussions as significant as those of World War II, fundamentally altering the world. Rudd suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping, who turns 71 this month, might pursue the goal of “final national unification” with Taiwan within the next decade, before he reaches his 80s.

China signals could indicate conflict

Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the United States and a former two-time prime minister, emphasized the importance of paying attention to China’s increasingly clear military signals, including recent exercises. He stated that China’s decision to act would hinge on its perception of U.S. deterrence strength. China views Taiwan, a democratically governed island, as its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert control. Meanwhile, Taiwan rejects China’s claims of sovereignty, insisting that only its people have the right to determine their future.

U.S. supports Taiwan despite tensions

The United States has voiced concerns regarding Chinese military activities near Taiwan, particularly following the island’s presidential election and the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te last month. China has cautioned the U.S. against interfering in its matters with Taiwan. Although Taiwan and the United States lack formal diplomatic relations, Washington officially recognizes Beijing but is legally obligated to supply Taiwan with defensive capabilities, making the U.S. Taiwan’s most significant international supporter.

Taiwan conflict risks global alliances

Kevin Rudd noted that a successful Chinese annexation of Taiwan would undermine U.S. credibility and could have a profound and potentially irreversible impact on the perceived reliability of U.S. alliances globally. He emphasized that the United States, China, and Taiwan all share a common interest in preventing an open military conflict over Taiwan’s future. Rudd, a China scholar, was president of the Asia Society in New York until last year.

Taiwan war would transform world

Kevin Rudd highlighted that a war over Taiwan would entail economic costs, domestic political repercussions, and unpredictable geo-strategic consequences on a scale not seen since World War II. He stated that regardless of the outcome—whether an American victory, a Chinese victory, or a bloody stalemate—the world would likely be radically transformed compared to its state before the conflict.