A Dose of Realism

China's desire to pressure Taiwan into unification has been stymied by Japan and the United States, who have stressed the need for "peaceful resolution" – tantamount to supporting the status quo. Both countries, while officially supportive of One China, have other pressing strategic considerations. Japan is increasingly concerned with Chinese arms development, as well as Beijing's claims to much of the South China Sea. Both are concerned with security implications of China's control over crucial sea lanes. The key question is whether China will risk alienating the two powers and slow its heretofore rapid economic growth – all in the name of nationalism. With this in mind, the Taiwan straits debate demonstrates how Japan, the United States, and China itself are willing to weigh Chinese nationalism against other regional considerations. – YaleGlobal