WASHINGTON — With Beijing growing in strength, a U.S. scholar is calling for a major rethink on Taiwan in which the island would cut its troop numbers in half and rebrand its army as a self-defense force.
The proposal marks a rare break from the conventional view of American and Taiwanese policymakers that the island needs to close the military gap with Beijing, but its author said an opposite course could strengthen Taipei.
Scott Bates, president of the Washington-based Center for National Policy, said the balance was “irretrievably shifting” in China’s favor and it was politically and economically unrealistic that Taiwan would commit enough to close the gap. Instead, Taipei can take the lead by halving the size of its army, rebranding it as a Self-Defense Force in the style of Japan and renouncing any military action on mainland China’s soil, he argued.
“If Taiwan were to take a bold step like this, that would change perceptions on the mainland and perhaps win some popular support for the Taiwanese position,” said Bates, a former congressional aide. “If there were a showdown, it might make (Beijing) think twice.”
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