China and Taiwan: Will it Come to Conflict?

The discussion centers on the shifting dynamics of US-China relations, moving from historical engagement to a current state of strategic rivalry. Participants analyze the trajectory of China’s political system under Xi Jinping, characterizing his leadership as an "accelerator" of the Chinese Communist Party’s inherent authoritarian impulses. A central focus is the Taiwan issue, where the consensus emphasizes the necessity of deterrence over a search for a definitive "solution," given the lack of common ground. The panel highlights the demographic and economic challenges facing China, noting that the country’s aggressive foreign policy and proxy support for global conflicts necessitate a firm, alliance-based response from the United States. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the difficulty of managing a relationship with a regime that increasingly views the West as a fundamental threat, requiring a strategy that balances hard power with nuanced diplomacy.