Why China and the US are so obsessed with Taiwan | Mapped Out

The US-China superpower rivalry is on full display in Taiwan. Beijing wants control of the island and is willing to use force to get it. Washington has been ambiguous about how it would respond but is expanding its military presence in the region. Taiwan is at the center of the US first island chain strategy to contain China. A standoff seems almost unavoidable. But what factors give the tiny island such an outsize importance for both superpowers? And why is neither side backing down?

We speak to foreign policy experts Victor Gao (Center for China and Globalization) and David Sacks (Council on Foreign Relations) and find out what people in Taiwan think of the tensions.

Chapters

00:00   All eyes on Taiwan

01:12   Taiwan's strategic location

04:13   US "first island chain" strategy

07:24   Taiwan's TSMC: An economic powerhouse

09:34   A history of old loyalties

12:19   Taiwan's complicated status quo

14:14   Big ideas for a small island

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