Why Taiwan Matters audiobook cover - A Short History of a Small Island That Will Dictate Our Future

Why Taiwan Matters

A Short History of a Small Island That Will Dictate Our Future

Kerry Brown

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Why Taiwan Matters
Identity & Society+
Historical Evolution+
Geopolitics & Superpowers+
The Tech Superpower+
Crisis Risk & Future+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
How did Taiwan's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic reflect its distinct societal values?
  • A. It relied on strict, state-enforced military lockdowns.
  • B. It depended heavily on vaccines imported exclusively from mainland China.
  • C. It succeeded through voluntary protective measures rooted in civic responsibility.
  • D. It failed initially due to widespread public protests against government mandates.
Question 2 of 6
Which unexpected international event in 1950 prevented a planned Chinese Communist invasion of Taiwan?
  • A. The signing of a mutual defense treaty with Japan
  • B. The outbreak of the Korean War
  • C. The handover of Hong Kong to British rule
  • D. A massive earthquake in mainland China
Question 3 of 6
What major effect did recent political events in Hong Kong have on Taiwanese public opinion?
  • A. They convinced Taiwan to adopt the 'One Country, Two Systems' model.
  • B. They caused 90 percent of Taiwanese to reject the 'One Country, Two Systems' model.
  • C. They led to a formal, immediate declaration of independence by the Taiwanese government.
  • D. They prompted Taiwan to cut all economic and trade ties with mainland China.
Question 4 of 6
What strategic business decision by founder Morris Chang allowed TSMC to dominate the global semiconductor industry?
  • A. Focusing exclusively on manufacturing chips rather than designing or selling them.
  • B. Securing exclusive rights to mine rare earth metals in Taiwan.
  • C. Partnering with the Chinese government for subsidized labor.
  • D. Designing the world's first smartphone processor in-house.
Question 5 of 6
How did Chinese President Xi Jinping's early career experience influence his perspective on Taiwan?
  • A. His military service in the navy convinced him that a naval blockade was the only viable option.
  • B. His time studying in the US made him realize America would never intervene in Taiwan.
  • C. His tenure in Fujian province led him to believe economic integration would naturally result in reunification.
  • D. His role in the 2015 Singapore summit convinced him that diplomatic negotiations were entirely useless.
Question 6 of 6
What is the primary goal of the United States' long-standing policy of 'strategic ambiguity' regarding Taiwan?
  • A. To trick China into launching a premature military strike before it is fully prepared.
  • B. To maintain peace by discouraging Chinese aggression and preventing Taiwanese unilateral independence.
  • C. To slowly integrate Taiwan into the United Nations without provoking a veto from China.
  • D. To secure preferential pricing and exclusive access to advanced semiconductors from TSMC.

Why Taiwan Matters — Full Chapter Overview

Why Taiwan Matters Summary & Overview

Why Taiwan Matters (2023) explores how Taiwan became the thriving democracy and semiconductor powerhouse it is today, while explaining its precarious position at the center of US-China tensions. It examines how Taiwan’s 23 million people manage their complex relationship with China that increasingly threatens to forcibly reclaim the island – potentially triggering a global conflict.

Who Should Listen to Why Taiwan Matters?

  • Technology and business leaders concerned with Asia-Pacific markets
  • Fans of history, international relations, and geopolitics
  • Anyone who cares about the future of democracy in Asia

About the Author: Kerry Brown

Kerry Brown is a professor of Chinese studies and directs the Lau China Institute at King’s College, London, bringing three decades of firsthand experience in China across academic, diplomatic, and business sectors. His extensive knowledge of Chinese politics and society is reflected in his numerous publications, including The World According to Xi. He’s served as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing and headed the Asia Programme at Chatham House.

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