“Made in Taiwan” – the dubious reputation of this product label has changed. For a long time it was considered a symbol of cheap products, but today it stands for outstanding quality and innovation – especially in the area of chip and semiconductor production. This is also why Germany is investing several billion euros to enable the Taiwanese chip giant TMSC to build its first European factory in Dresden. At the same time, a seemingly distant conflict takes on even greater significance.
The communist leadership in Beijing views Taiwan as a “renegade province” that must be united with the mother country. The island, located in Southeast Asia, wants to preserve its de facto independence and hard-won democracy. That’s why US politician Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan caused discontent in China. Nowhere is a direct confrontation between the two superpowers more likely than in the Taiwan Strait.
Stephan Thome, one of the best German experts on Taiwan, illuminates the background to this conflict in his highly topical essay “Narrow Waters, Dangerous Currents.” He shows why Taiwan’s geography is so important and what consequences it has for a possible military conflict. In broad historical arcs, he explains how China’s self-image as an old and new world power, as well as American alliance policy in the Pacific, have contributed to today’s situation. The fight for Taiwan has long since begun and affects us in Europe much more than we think.
Moderation: Ruth Kirchner (ARD Capital Studio).
admission free
