The split of 1949
What civil war ended with the Chinese communist party controlling the mainland China while the Nationalists fled to Taiwan?
What is the name of the U.S. policy of not clearly saying whether it would defend Taiwan if China attacked?
Strategic Ambiguity
Clue: This two-word term describes Taiwan's semiconductor industry, which acts as a geopolitical deterrent against a military invasion by mainland China.
What is the Silicone Shield?
Name the two main Taiwanese-controlled islands just of the coast of China?
Kinmen and Matsu
On the Green vs. Blue map, which color represents Taiwan and its allies?
Green
Formed in May 1949, this democratic nation was created out of the American, British, and French occupation zones of Germany.
What is West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)?
Which country uses the policy of Strategic Ambiguity toward Taiwan?
The United States.
Holding over 90% of the market share for advanced microchips, this Taiwanese company is the primary reason the "Silicone Shield" exists.
What is TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company)?
Which country controls Kinmen and Matsu despite their close proximity to the mainland China?
Taiwan (the Republic of China)
Which color represents China and the territory it controls?
Blue.
Following the creation of its western counterpart, this communist East German state was established in October 1949.
What is East Germany (the German Democratic Republic)?
Why does the United States use Strategic Ambiguity?
To discourage both China from Taiwan and Taiwan from declaring formal independence.
The "Silicone Shield" concept relies on the world's dependence on this island nation for critical electronic components.
What is Taiwan?
Why are Kinmen and Matsu considered potential flashpoints in the Taiwan-China conflict?
They are very close to the mainland China, making them vulnerable to military pressure or an attack.
Why are the small islands between the green and blue areas considered strategically important?
There are close to mainland China but controlled by Taiwan, making them potential flashpoints in a conflict.
In October 1949, this leader proclaimed the People's Republic of China on the mainland after winning the Chinese Civil War.
Who is Mao Zedong?
How does Strategic Ambiguity help maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait?
It creates uncertainty about how the U.S. would respond, making military action riskier for both China and Taiwan.
Disrupting Taiwan's Silicon Shield would severely impact this sector, which relies heavily on advanced chips for guidance systems and radar.
What is the defense (or military) sector?
How could China use the islands of Kinen or Matsu without launching a full-scale invasion of Taiwan?
By blockading, seizing or pressuring the islands to test Taiwan and its allies response.
Name one Taiwanese-controlled island located just off China's coast that appears in the Green vs. Blue map
Kinmen or Matsu
As the mainland fell to the communists in 1949, this Nationalist leader retreated with his government to the island of Taiwan.
Who is Chiang Kai-shek?
What is one possible disadvantage of Strategic Ambiguity?
China or Taiwan could misjudge how the U.S. would react, increasing the risk of the conflict or miscalculation.
If Taiwan's "Silicone Shield" fails, the global economy could face shortages of this vital consumer product, which requires hundreds of microchips per vehicle.
What are cars (or automobiles)?
Why would a conflict over Kinmen or Matsu have international significance beyond the islands themselves?
It could trigger a broader crisis invloving Taiwan, China, and potentially the United States and other allies, affecting regional security and global trade.
If China took one of the green-controlled islands near its coast, what difficult decision could that create for Taiwan and its allies?
Whether to respond militarily and risk escalating the conflict or avoid escalation and potentially encourage further Chinese actions.