NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

Taiwan has long been a tense flashpoint between Washington and Beijing. By law, the U.S. is required to help Taiwan defend itself. But there is now a debate about whether Taiwan is spending enough on defense, whether Ukraine is a distraction or a test case, and whether defending Taiwan is a vital U.S. interest. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Randall Schriver and Michael Swaine.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What is the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan?
2. Why is defending Taiwan a vital U.S. interest, according to Randall Schriver?
3. Who could the U.S. be at risk of going to war with for defending Taiwan, according to Michael Swaine?
4. How does the Trump administration view Taiwan's current defense spending?
5. What does Secretary of State Marco Rubio say about the connection between U.S. involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and U.S. relations with Taiwan? Do Schriver and Swaine agree with Rubio?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think the U.S. is so involved in Taiwan's defense, including training Taiwanese soldiers and selling Taiwan weapons? Use what you learned in the video and this resource explaining the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.
2. Nick Schifrin says Taiwan has long been the most tense flashpoint between Washington and Beijing. Watch this quick video explaining the 'One China' policy. Why do you think it remains unclear whether the U.S. would send American troops to protect Taipei if Beijing's reunification efforts turn violent? What might the U.S. stand to gain by not explicitly siding with one over the other?

Media literacy: Did the differing views of Schriver and Swaine in this story help you better understand the situation between the U.S., China, and Taiwan? Who else would you like to hear from for a different perspective on this matter?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

For a more in-depth look at China's foreign policy under Xi Jinping, check out these video resources from PBS Frontline.

Watch the video below for a perspective from Taiwan regarding the possible Chinese invasion.

Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio.

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