"We don’t want to be manipulated or caught in a great power competition," said Evan Tsao, 31, a master’s degree student from Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan.

NBC News
Date: Oct. 24, 2020
By: Louise Watt

TAIPEI, Taiwan — As China challenges the global dominance of the United States, tiny Taiwan finds itself stuck, rather uncomfortably, smack dab in the middle of the conflict between the two international giants.

Economically, Taiwan is dependent on Beijing. But for its security and for international political support, it relies on Washington.

"Recently, the Taiwanese people tend to think that we don’t want to be a piece on the chessboard anymore," said Evan Tsao, 31, a master’s degree student in international relations from Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan. "We don’t want to be manipulated or caught in a great power competition."

He added that "Taiwan is forced to choose sides amid the rivalry. It’s wrestling between economic power and political power.”    [FULL  STORY]