Taiwan is seen as one of the most dangerous global flashpoints today. The political status of Taiwan (i.e., the Taiwan issue) is very complex, which involves multiple important aspects, including nationalism, ideology, democracy, national identity, regional security, geopolitics, geoeconomics, and great power rivalry. Taipei, Beijing, and Washington are the three key parties that have particularly high stakes and play the most important role in the Taiwan issue. Because of their very different concerns and fundamentally conflicting interests behind the Taiwan issue, Taipei, Beijing, and Washington are pursuing very different goals regarding the future of the island. Covering some most important aspects of the Taiwan issue, this edited volume provides readers with a multifaceted picture of this important and complex issue in the world today.

Dr. Kevin G. Cai is professor at Renison University College, University of Waterloo in Canada.