By Isabella Isasi 
By: Isabella Isasi
Photo Credit: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters
On September 28th, Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine to establish a naval fleet, which Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, security advisor leading the program, describes as a “strategic deterrent” from a potential Chinese attack. The ceremony took place in Kaohsiung, where President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the event. The multibillion-dollar project consists of eight Hai-Kun class submarines built by CSBC corporation for the Taiwan Navy. CSBC corporation is a company that produces naval ships for civilian and military use in Taiwan. The submarines are projected to launch in 2025, and if Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s statements are representative, it seems that the Taiwanese government hopes that the increase in their naval strength will deter an attack from China.
Currently, Taiwan’s Navy has two active submarines that the government bought from the Netherlands in the 1980s. When asked about Taiwan’s new defense plan, the Chinese defense ministry spokesperson called it “idiotic nonsense,” claiming that “no amount of weapons that Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party buys or makes can stop reunification with the motherland.” Chinese President Xi Jinping has made similar statements, saying that the biggest obstacle to reunification was the “Taiwan independence” force.
Despite these threats, the United States has made it clear that they will arrive to Taiwan’s assistance in the event of a Chinese-led offensive given President Biden’s remarks affirming the notion of US intervention. Just this past summer, President Biden was asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack to which he replied, “Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack.” However, when tensions are high and both Chinese and Taiwanese resolve is mostly unknown, where does this leave the United States?
The United States established formal diplomatic relations with The People’s Republic of China in 1979 while simultaneously ending its mutual defense treaty with Taiwan. However, the United States continues to hold ties with Taiwan, most recently President Biden approved a $500 million arms sale last August. China has made it clear that they do not support this agreement and has been strongly urging the United States to cut ties with the province. Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said in a statement, “China urges the U.S. side to effectively fulfill its commitment not to support the independence of Taiwan, to immediately stop arming Taiwan, and to stop enhancing U.S.-Taiwan military ties.”
The United States’ sphere of influence in East Asia is largely thanks to its relations with Taiwan. Taiwan allows the United States to patrol the South China Sea and carry out surveillance operations on bordering Asian countries. The western power’s relationship with Taiwan has advanced U.S. interests in trade and commerce, helping create economic opportunities in the U.S. The State Department’s website writes that Taiwanese investment in the U.S. was nearly $137 million in 2020, with these investments directly supporting an estimated 21,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in U.S. exports.
If China were to regain control of Taiwan, it could establish assets such as underwater surveillance devices and submarines, limiting United States military operations in East Asia. Provided that the U.S. chooses to aid Taiwan, the U.S.’ relationship with China would likely become strained. However, if the U.S. decides to stand back, the island is vulnerable to China, causing a decrease in western influence in Asia. In the event that the U.S. has to choose between defending Taiwan or standing back, any outcome would lead to diminished western influence and increased tension in the region.