Taiwan's Strategic Value to Beijing Extends Beyond Rational Calculation

The article argues that standard strategic explanations for China's stance on Taiwan—territorial integrity, deterrence credibility, great power competition, first island chain, and semiconductors—are insufficient. It suggests that Beijing's posture is driven by deeper, possibly ideological or identity-based factors, making the issue more intractable. This analysis matters because it implies that conventional deterrence and diplomatic frameworks may not fully address the root of the conflict.