Between two superpowers
The historic division that emerged after the Chinese Civil War in 1949 created two distinct realities: on one side, the Communist Party of China in Beijing, and on the other, the Kuomintang which fled to Taiwan. For decades, this balance was stable and almost self-evident. Taiwan operated under the protection and economic support of the US, while China attempted to develop and find its place in the world. Today, however, this equation has been completely overturned. China is no longer an emerging power; it is a global giant actively claiming primacy. Its economic strength, technological progress, and geopolitical confidence have changed the rules of the game. And within this new environment, Taiwan is not moving away from China—on the contrary, it is increasingly integrating into its economic sphere. The visit of Zheng Liwen to high-tech Chinese infrastructure was not merely symbolic. It was a silent reminder that economic reality precedes politics. Taiwan depends heavily on the Chinese market, participates actively in the same production chains, and operates within an environment where Beijing constitutes the basic economic pillar. In some cases, this interconnection is so deep that it creates a paradoxical situation: while political confrontation exists, a form of economic interdependence has already been shaped. This contradiction is also the most dangerous element. Because when the economy unites and politics divides, conflict is not avoided—it is simply deferred and becomes more complex.
The US whistles indifferently
At the same time, the US stance has changed noticeably. The policy of Donald Trump introduces a new logic to international relations: protection is no longer considered self-evident, but negotiable. Allies are called upon to pay for their security, and geopolitics is transformed into a transaction. For Taiwan, this creates unprecedented uncertainty. The traditional certainty that the US will intervene in the event of a crisis is no longer a given—and this doubt serves as a strategic advantage for Beijing. Inside Taiwan, this new reality has caused a deep political rift. On one side stands the government of Lai Ching-te, which continues to rely on a Western orientation. On the other, the Kuomintang is returning dynamically, promoting a more realistic—or according to others, inevitable—approach with China. Zheng Liwen’s visit fits exactly into this strategic shift. The message is clear: Taiwan is now seeking alternatives. Unilateral dependence on the US is not considered a safe option in a world changing so rapidly. In this context, Taiwan acts as a mirror of the new global order being formed. The real stake is not the future of the island, but who will define the rules of the international economy, trade, and technology in the coming decades. The confrontation between the US and China has already passed from theory to practice—manifesting daily at economic, political, and military levels. And within this conflict, Taiwan is not just a player. It is the most sensitive flashpoint. A point where one wrong move could trigger developments with global consequences.
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