Originally posted by Fishu
That depends on who you ask.
Officially it isn't an independent country, however they do have their own flag and own government.
The UN considers it as a domestic issue and doesn't want to mess with the issue.
China considers Taiwan as part of the mainland, which why they're opposing the indenpendency.
The US however wants to mess with the issue.
However why the US wants to mess with the issue, thats something I don't know.
Maybe they want to have an "ally" off the coast of China.
Fishu, we ain't 'messing with the issue'.. we're maintaining the status quo, established policy sealed by agreements with the two parties in question. China agreed not to use force to bring Taiwan under Communist control, we assured Taiwan we'd protect them should the Chinese renig and give it a try. For that agreement, Tawan gave up it's seat on the UN and gave it to Mainland China in 1971.
Unlike mainland China, Taiwan has a democraticly elected government. The Island was the last refuge of the anti-communist forces, the Non communist government fled there after world war II when the commies took over china. While the resta china slipped even further into poverty, Taiwan, with it's freely elected government became the 5th largest economic power in the region.. free trade and capitalism being what it was, it stood as an example of what China could be if governed democraticly.
China considers Taiwan to be a part of China, a state in rebellion. The US for 30 years supported Taiwans seat on the UN.. then under Tricky Dick, we changed the rules on Taiwan.. dropped the 'two chinas' policy and opened fromal relations with the mainland.. taiwan's seat on the UN went to Mao's thugs.
This unhappy little milestone would have been the end of Taiwan, but we made a side deal with them to protect them from communist agression or invasion from China, supply them with arms to defend themselves and it's this policy that's kept the commies from overunning the place.. every time the commies get ugly, we plop a few Carrier Groups in the Straights and wag our fingers at the naughty commies... "mess with them, you mess with us."
Now, should Taiwan VOTE for a reunification for China, hey; that's kewl, we stroll away whistling a few bars of... how do you whistle in chinese? Anyway, as long as mainland china threatens force for implementation of reunification, the US is expected to defend Taiwan
I don't think we'd toss any nukes... but if the commies do; well, welcome back to the wonderful MAD MAD world.
Common sense dictates that what the commies want is more kewl capitalist cash, like they got when the lease ran out in Hong Kong. The sure don't want the cash engine on Taiwan reduced to a smoldering wreck and their biggest cash cow customers all bent outta shape because a couple of CG groups got turned into fishing reefs.
So, stands to reason the Chinese are searching for the right mix of military and economic muscle to be applied, so the US would be convinced that it's treaty obligations with Taiwan are more costly than they are worth.. allowing mainland China to 'peacefully' readopt it's 'errant province' in order to keep the walmarts open.
Just another American State Department Sellout In Progress folks.. nothin to be concerned about. Look for lower prices next month at Walmart.
