Should Taiwan be independent?

[Masato]

Well, we all know that China claims that Taiwan is part of China while Taiwan claims they are independent. I'm just wondering what do you guys think. Do you think that Taiwan should be independent or not?

I personally think that Taiwan should be independent simply because I don't want to see Taiwan, a democratic country, fall under the hands of a country with an authoritarian government. However, this is just my opinion, and your opinion may be different.

 

[Archaic]

Taiwan was essentially established by the then-legitimate government of China retreating from the mainland provinces that were held by the rebels which now form the legitimate government of China. Lack of active hostilities there over this long period of time should represent a white peace, but then, they still consider NK and SK/USA as being technically at war, so who knows there, especially considering that was a civil war.

Should it be independant? Honestly...from a legal perspective, assuming that China can still be considered to be in a state of civil war, Taiwan is a rogue province, and they have every right to go after it. The influx of capitalistic ideas from HK has enhanced China's move towards more democratic and capitalistic methods. Taiwan could tip the scales.

Of course, China's already close enough to Superpower status as it is. I'm sure many countries would think it in their best interests that they don't get any leg ups there.

 

[Fig]

But how many of them have the means to do something about it - militarily, I mean? It'd be possible to stop China through giving them diplomatic incentives not to do it, but as far as stopping China if they decide to do it...

It'd have got to be naval action. We all know the quote about land wars in Asia - and that one still holds. Invading China is an exercise in futility, not to mention political suicide for whichever nation is dumb enough to try that.

So naval action in defense of Taiwan - who could do it? China's navy is not stellar, but there aren't THAT many nation that have a powerful enough navy to be able to help out with Taiwan. Add to that the fact that action near Taiwan means China will be operating with the help and under the protection of throngs of land-based aircrafts, and you need a navy that can bring its own aircover to bear. Which either means, a carrier navy, or a navy that can rely on close-up land bases.

There are three world-class carrier navies - France, America and England - and you can add to that one world-class non-carrier navy who could bring land-based aircraft to bear, namely Japan.

Of those, France isn't too likely to bother, England might try (but lack the regional presence in the Pacific to be that credible a defense), and Japan is seriously hampered (read : virtually taken out of the running) by that constitution article about renouncing war. That leaves the US of A, and they're a question mark.

Yes, they may want to oppose China's rise in power, but OTOH, can they, especially after the Iraq fiasco, and with the ongoing feel of a terrorist menace, convince their citizens to send their sons to die in a war against what's arguably the second most powerful world-power?

 

[Zhen Lin]

I'd continue the status quo. China will be reminded it can't have everything it wants, Taiwan will continue to reap the benefits of being a small country. Independent would be better, if it weren't for the war that would result.

Personally, I regard the One China, One Chinese Culture, One Chinese History, One Chinese Language and other related concepts as a myth.

 

[eX.A.K.R.]

I'm on Zhen Lin's side: it's best to continue with the status quo. While Taiwan is, and will always be part of China, however, they already have their own, seperate government system and political culture; it may not be benifical for China to take Taiwan back in any way. They (China) want Taiwan back, but are they prepared for the responsibility of governing a place which is used to democratic procedures under their communist, authoritarian system? Are they prepared for the mess when people opposing their government system revolts? And how about diplomatic relations? Surely, if China is to annex Taiwan by any means, whether by peace or by force, there surely will be a diplomatic fallout.

Even today, China is being too intervening in Taiwan's matters. When S.A.R.S. broke out in Taiwan in 2003, China did not allow World Health Organisation officals to go into the island initially, and mixed in messy politics to the already messy S.A.R.S. situation. And sometime back, a few politicans from my country (Singapore) (which includes our current prime minister, but was then not the prime minister yet if I recall correctly) visited Taiwan on a private, unoffical trip. Our normally good ties with China immediately become strained as a result, with at least one China-linked event in Singapore cancelled (as revenge, I heard). It was only after some time, and after our government reiterated our one-China policy, did out ties go back to normal again.

 

[The Big Al]

Why does China want Taiwan anyway. Considering they're strangling the goose that lays the golden eggs in Honk Konk, you'd think they'd learn their lesson.

 

[Masato]

Why does China want Taiwan anyway. Considering they're strangling the goose that lays the golden eggs in Honk Konk, you'd think they'd learn their lesson.

I asked my U.S. history teacher that and he says he thinks it's because of money.

 

[Zhen Lin]

I don't think so. My father likes to tell me it's because if they let Taiwan go, next thing you know, Hong Kong also wants to go, and then the autonomous provinces declare independence, and so on and so forth.