Articles by Liu Chin-Tsai

China's declining farmland and food self-sufficiency: Should we worry?

China's food self-sufficiency ratio has plummeted to 76% in 2020, sparking worries of a food shortage. While the government reassures the people that food reserves are plentiful, China is highly dependent on imported food and its area of arable land is declining. China clearly needs to come up with innovative economic, social, environmental and agricultural policies if it hopes to become an "agricultural power" and avoid a food crisis.

Liu Chin-tsai

30 Mar 2023

Kinmen-Xiamen bridge: Taiwan's security and identity at stake?

The proposal to build a physical bridge between Taiwan's Kinmen and mainland China's Xiamen has aroused political debates in Taiwan. While the project could boost local economies and people's livelihoods, some are concerned that constructing a cross-strait bridge is a pro-China move that would compromise Taiwan's security imperatives and efforts to build a "Taiwan identity". Taiwan academic Liu Chin-tsai looks at the implications and debate surrounding the proposed infrastructure.

Liu Chin-tsai

19 Jul 2022

It is debatable whether China has truly alleviated poverty

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in February 2021 China's complete victory in its fight against poverty. While China's poverty alleviation efforts spanned 40 years since its reform and opening up in 1978, its definition of its poverty standards has been ill-defined. Taiwan academic Liu Chin-tsai believes that there is more to be scrutinised before China becomes a global model for poverty alleviation.

Liu Chin-tsai

21 Apr 2022

Taiwanese generally think there will not be war, and they are unprepared for it

Surveys show that the Taiwanese think war is unlikely, and they are aware that they are generally not well prepared for it, believing that the US and Japan will come to Taiwan's assistance if mainland China launches an offensive. But recent comments by the US and Japan seem to suggest that strategic ambiguity is very much in play.

Liu Chin-tsai

25 Nov 2021

How the 1992 Consensus could save cross-strait relations

Liu Chin-tsai notes that cross-strait relations are getting more volatile, with calls for armed reunification getting louder. He suggests that the crux of the matter lies in the DPP not acknowledging the 1992 Consensus, which is seen by mainland China as the "magic fulcrum" offering a structural framework and stability for cross-straits talks to take place. However, is it too late for the DPP to adjust its rhetoric and get cross-strait relations back on track?

Liu Chin-tsai

09 Nov 2021

Pandemic, floods, locusts and shrinking farming population: Will China suffer a food crisis?

China feeds about 20% of the global population, but its overall self-sufficiency in food seems to be dropping. Even though it is self-sufficient in some staples such as wheat, rice and corn, it is less so in others. In fact, it is the largest importer of food in the world. Recent calls by President Xi Jinping to cut food wastage has people thinking that political reasons aside, China's food supply is at risk. This risk could yet be amplified by changes in land policies, rural-urban migration and more.

Liu Chin-tsai

14 Oct 2020

Mainland China and Taiwan: Game of push and pull continues amid the Covid-19 epidemic

With "Island encirclement" drills over Taiwan airspace, verbal exchanges and other moves, China reiterates its firm stance against independence for Taiwan. The latter, meanwhile, continues to find wiggle room by growing its international space.

Liu Chin-tsai

25 Feb 2020