Maintaining Momentum and Managing Expectations in an Age of Uncertainty
In October 2023, the NCAFP's Forum on Asia-Pacific Security (FAPS) organized a high-level delegation of former U.S. officials to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul for in-depth meetings with officials and other counterparts. The following are some of the NCAFP's policy recommendations and conclusions for maintaining momentum and managing expectations in an age of uncertainty:
- Following the Biden-Xi summit, the U.S. and China must continue to maintain and expand various channels of communication at all levels, including at the leader level.
- Washington should reiterate its policy that the U.S. would welcome any resolution in the Taiwan Strait that is peaceful and accepted by the people of Taiwan, and that the U.S. continues to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.
- The prevalent challenge to U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral relations lies in the allies' respective domestic politics. The allies should promote the trilateral as a society-wide mechanism that goes beyond a military and security relationship in order to maintain momentum and insulate from domestic politics.
- Next year, 2024, is a pivotal year for elections around the world, including in the U.S., Taiwan, and South Korea. Keeping as many channels of communication open as possible is necessary to avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings caused by a mismatch in expectations.
