Experts Assess Current U.S. Policy Toward China, Impacts of Hong Kong and Taiwan | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Visit
    • Plan Your visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Java Lava Cafe
    • About the Building
    • Ticketing Policies
  • At Home
    • At Home
    • Webcasts
    • Spotlight Asiatown
    • Houston's Asian American Journeys
    • Visit from Home
    • Learn from Home
    • COVID-19 Series
    • Family Activities
    • Encore Series
    • Staff Picks
    • Around the World
    • 1,000 Cranes for Hope
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Virtual Events
    • Family Events
    • Special Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Permanent Exhibition
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Education
    • Family Programs
    • Student Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Educator Programs
    • Japan Outreach Initiative
    • Adult Programs
    • Community Programs
    • Bold New Initiative
  • Support
    • Donate Now
    • Become a Member
    • Education Project
    • Special Events
    • Endowment
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partners
  • About
    • About Us
    • Unity in Diversity
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Our Supporters
    • Get Involved
    • Work With Us
    • Financial Statements
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • News
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • Press Releases
  • Space Rental
  • Shop
Texas
Search
Texas
  • Visit
    • Plan Your visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Java Lava Cafe
    • About the Building
    • Ticketing Policies
  • At Home
    • At Home
    • Webcasts
    • Spotlight Asiatown
    • Houston's Asian American Journeys
    • Visit from Home
    • Learn from Home
    • COVID-19 Series
    • Family Activities
    • Encore Series
    • Staff Picks
    • Around the World
    • 1,000 Cranes for Hope
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Virtual Events
    • Family Events
    • Special Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Permanent Exhibition
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Education
    • Family Programs
    • Student Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Educator Programs
    • Japan Outreach Initiative
    • Adult Programs
    • Community Programs
    • Bold New Initiative
  • Support
    • Donate Now
    • Become a Member
    • Education Project
    • Special Events
    • Endowment
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partners
  • About
    • About Us
    • Unity in Diversity
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Our Supporters
    • Get Involved
    • Work With Us
    • Financial Statements
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • News
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • Press Releases
  • Space Rental
  • Shop

Experts Assess Current U.S. Policy Toward China, Impacts of Hong Kong and Taiwan

HOUSTON, April 20, 2022 – In partnership with the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.–China Relations, Asia Society Texas hosted a webcast discussing international relations and how Hong Kong and Taiwan would factor into future U.S. policy toward China. Moderator David Firestein, inaugural president and CEO of the Bush China Foundation, spoke in conversation with Elizabeth Freund Larus, President of E Larus Consulting LLC and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Mary Washington; Hans Stockton, Dean of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences & Global Studies at the University of St. Thomas; and Rick Waters, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. The discussion touched on the current U.S. policy toward Hong Kong and Taiwan, how developments in Hong Kong and Ukraine have impacted sentiment in Taiwan regarding mainland China, and the future of the U.S.–China relationship.

Asia Society at Home

We're bringing Asia Society directly to you! Learn, have fun, and explore as we continue to present and produce videos, family activities, interactive webcasts, and more.

Learn More

Overview of current U.S. policy toward Hong Kong and Taiwan

Deputy Assistant Secretary Waters began by providing an overview of the overall U.S. policy toward Taiwan and Hong Kong, clarifying that the U.S.–Taiwan relationship is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. The U.S. goal is to maintain a stable environment that would “allow dialogue to take place free of coercion.” Regarding Hong Kong, DAS Waters noted that U.S. policy is guided by the Hong Kong Policy Act, which was the basis of policy since British handover in 1999 and outlined differentiated treatment of Hong Kong and mainland China. However, he said the passing of the 2020 national security law in Hong Kong showed that Hong Kong no longer had enough sufficiency from Beijing to merit differentiated treatment. He cited diminished freedoms, increased rule of law risks, shrinking civil society, and increasing restrictions on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong as a result of the law.

Larus added that these concerns have impacted how American businesses view Hong Kong, and in combination with the city’s strict COVID quarantine policies at the beginning of the pandemic, has led to nearly 25 percent of Americans in the city considering leaving city. She expected that the combined issues will lead to more foreign — including U.S. — companies leaving Hong Kong, particularly with the bipartisan political focus in the U.S. on the national security risk of supply chains that rely on unfriendly nations.

Taiwan’s response to developments in Hong Kong and Ukraine

Stockton added that the passage of the national security law in Hong Kong also signaled an end of the “one country, two systems” era, and also reinforced for citizens of Taiwan that such a policy is not an option. He pointed to the last Taiwanese presidential election in 2020, where the Democratic Progressive Party was lagging in the polls before the developments in Hong Kong buoyed incumbent president Tsai Ing-Wen’s campaign and her message of remaining independent from Beijing. Nevertheless, Stockton cautioned that while the Taiwanese population is skittish about reunification, the largest group of those polled favor the status quo — that is, a pragmatic relationship that includes engaging economically with mainland. Trade between Taiwan and mainland China was up 25 percent in 2021.

Even while Taiwanese citizens are increasingly identifying as Taiwanese over Chinese, according to Larus, reflecting a robust development of Taiwan nationalism and identity in recent years, she noted that authorities in Beijing consider the issue of Taiwan reunification as untouchable. “It wasn’t what the Taiwan people want; it’s what must happen,” she said of Beijing’s view.

However, the panelists did not think the chances of a cross-strait conflagration are particularly high — and in fact may have decreased in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Stockton noted that the Chinese, learning from Russia, may recalibrate any assumptions that mass firepower will lead to a quick victory and instead take additional time to consume intelligence. Larus added that Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to do anything before the Party Congress in October, when he will begin his unprecedented third term, but after that she said it will make sense to assess the sentiment of cross-strait relations through the results of Taiwan’s upcoming elections.

Help Us Build a More Inclusive World

Each year, Asia Society Texas Center offers over 150 public programs — many of which are free and made possible by the strong financial support of our members and friends. Please consider supporting our work by making a tax-deductible donation.

Support Our Programming

Look toward the future of the U.S.–China relationship

In assessing the future of U.S.–China relations, Larus acknowledged that the relationship is likely to grow chillier amid growing anti-China sentiment in Congress. Stockton said the bellwether will be the final form of the America Competes Act and what the language within the legislation will signal. He also indicated there is an ongoing debate about whether U.S. policy toward Taiwan will remain one of “strategic ambiguity” or evolve into one of “strategic clarity.” Finally, Stockton noted that the nature of the China–Russia relationship will also influence U.S. policy toward China.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Waters remained more optimistic about the opportunity for collaboration with China — whether on North Korea, climate change, or Afghanistan — and said, “When our interests align, we simply find we will do things together.” For instance, he said, the U.S. government is still issuing visas for Chinese students because interchange remains critical for the U.S.–China bilateral relationship, as well as for the U.S.’s own interests. Nevertheless, he underlined the importance of building at home and strengthening relationships with key allies and partners.


Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.


Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, and United Airlines, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; AARP, Sterling Turner Foundation, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Education & Outreach; Syamal and Susmita Poddar, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts & Culture; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Sponsor of the Japan Series; and Regions Bank, Title Sponsor for the internship program. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearst Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Vinson & Elkins LLP, as well as Friends of Asia Society.


About Asia Society at Home

We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.


About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.


Asia in Your Inbox

Enter your email address.

* indicates required
 
 

More from Asia Society

Lunar New Year 2023 dragon dance

Asia Society Texas Welcomes the Year of the Rabbit With Record-Breaking Lunar New Year Festival

A record 4,000 guests celebrated the Year of the Rabbit and the Cat at Asia Society Texas' annual festival, enjoying activities, performances, food, and storytimes inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia.

'Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions' Themes

Explore the themes in our exhibition 'Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions,' on view February 10 – July 2, 2023.
"Korean Council"_20221129

Experts Discuss the Future of U.S.–China Relations and East Asian Security

In partnership with the Council of Korean Americans, Asia Society Texas hosted a panel discussion on the future of the U.S.–China relationship, and the role that the Korean Peninsula will play in that relationship.

Pagination

  • Current page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Next page Next
  • Last page Last

Connect with Us!

Join us on social media and sign up for our e-newsletter so you're always up-to-date with our latest programming and content!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
LinkedIn | YouTube


Asia in Your Inbox

Enter your email address.

* indicates required
 
 

Connect with Us!

Join us on social media and sign up for our e-newsletter so you're always up-to-date with our latest programming and content!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
LinkedIn | YouTube


Asia in Your Inbox

Enter your email address.

* indicates required
 
 

About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC