QUESTION: What does Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong mean for Taiwan? We asked Ellen Laipson, Director of the Master's in International Security degree program at the @ScharSchool at George Mason University. Follow this thread for her answer. 
ANSWER: "Taiwan and Hong Kong have very different histories and relationships with the Chinese government in Beijing, but the crackdown in Hong Kong has brought the two closer together.
The government of Taiwan, which Beijing insists is still part of China, has condemned the new security laws intended to suppress opposition activities in Hong Kong, and has expressed solidarity with the democratic citizens of Hong Kong.
The new situation has also made Taiwan feel more vulnerable, since it is a sign of Beijing's confidence and desire to assert its will over areas it considers to be part of one China. Taiwan enjoys considerable legitimacy as a successful democracy,
but it lacks normal recognition as a sovereign nation state, and Beijing increasingly has pressured countries to end political ties to Taiwan, if they want to continue favorable relations with Beijing.
Taiwan has long feared China would one day use military force to bring Taiwan under its control, and those fears have been exacerbated by the events in Hong Kong. A big question is whether the US would counter China's military aggression and come to Taiwan's defense."
More about Ellen Laipson can be found here: schar.gmu.edu/about/faculty-…
If you have a question about national security, follow @NatSecAnswers and send us your question. We'll get the answer. @ScharSchool @mvhaydencenter @threadreaderapp unroll #A12
