Comments on: Is Taiwan a province of China? http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/ Yours might not be. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Pete Aldin http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1715 Pete Aldin Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:29:39 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1715 Good discussion Good discussion

]]> By: markk http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1699 markk Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:40:54 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1699 I get the impression that the locals there identify as Chinese, but they are no fans of the present regime. I definitely agree that nothing is likely to change soon, whether by referendum or any other way. Any referendum would be highly charged, what with the PRC having such an interest in the outcome. I get the impression that the locals there identify as Chinese, but they are no fans of the present regime.

I definitely agree that nothing is likely to change soon, whether by referendum or any other way. Any referendum would be highly charged, what with the PRC having such an interest in the outcome.

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1695 Robert Hruzek Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:24:02 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1695 When I was working in Taiwan, the locals' reaction to this issue was mostly non-committal. The deepening investment ties across the straight have made a change in the status quo almost impossible, unless something dramatic were to change it. I don't see things changing much anytime soon. Political pussyfooting will continue to dance around the subject as much as possible. When I was working in Taiwan, the locals’ reaction to this issue was mostly non-committal. The deepening investment ties across the straight have made a change in the status quo almost impossible, unless something dramatic were to change it.

I don’t see things changing much anytime soon. Political pussyfooting will continue to dance around the subject as much as possible.

]]> By: Jason http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1694 Jason Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:13:38 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1694 To answer this question, the historical fact of Taiwan (or Formosa) needs to be taken into account (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Taiwan). In 1952, Japan formally renounced all territorial rights to Taiwan in the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1953 after was defeated by the US. Notify that "all territorial rights to Taiwan". Clearly the future of Taiwan belongs to all the people who live on this island. And that is the end of it as simple as that. Hence, a referendum is warranted in order to determine the future of Taiwan. Unfortunately, this matter was complicated by the "political game" mainly played by two rival nations (US and China) as always. To answer this question, the historical fact of Taiwan (or Formosa) needs to be taken into account (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Taiwan).
In 1952, Japan formally renounced all territorial rights to Taiwan in the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1953 after was defeated by the US. Notify that “all territorial rights to Taiwan”. Clearly the future of Taiwan belongs to all the people who live on this island. And that is the end of it as simple as that. Hence, a referendum is warranted in order to determine the future of Taiwan. Unfortunately, this matter was complicated by the “political game” mainly played by two rival nations (US and China) as always.

]]> By: Jason http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1693 Jason Wed, 12 Sep 2007 05:45:27 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1693 A good article and great discussions. Very insightful! A good article and great discussions. Very insightful!

]]> By: Jon Newton http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1681 Jon Newton Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:20:01 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1681 Thankfully it's not now in China's interests to invade Taiwan because of the deepening economic ties between the two Chinas, but if Taiwan declared independence they would act. The US role is probably to facilitate an eventual reunification that respects Taiwan's distinctiveness. China is giving mixed signals, however. Look at Hong Kong and Tibet for 2 very different scenarios. If China becomes a democracy, that would make it all easier. Thankfully it’s not now in China’s interests to invade Taiwan because of the deepening economic ties between the two Chinas, but if Taiwan declared independence they would act. The US role is probably to facilitate an eventual reunification that respects Taiwan’s distinctiveness. China is giving mixed signals, however. Look at Hong Kong and Tibet for 2 very different scenarios. If China becomes a democracy, that would make it all easier.

]]> By: markk http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1677 markk Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:26:32 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1677 True enough, unfortunately. I wonder what would happen if America had to withdraw from the area. True enough, unfortunately. I wonder what would happen if America had to withdraw from the area.

]]> By: Jon Newton http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1674 Jon Newton Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:35:24 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1674 No way you'll get the Chinese govt to agree with that! No way you’ll get the Chinese govt to agree with that!

]]> By: markk http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1673 markk Sat, 08 Sep 2007 08:39:15 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1673 I get what you mean, but it'd be more accurate to say that Taiwan is a Chinese nation and that the PRC is another Chinese nation, which is not exactly the impression one gets from the phrase "Province of China". I get what you mean, but it’d be more accurate to say that Taiwan is a Chinese nation and that the PRC is another Chinese nation, which is not exactly the impression one gets from the phrase “Province of China”.

]]> By: Jon Newton http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1669 Jon Newton Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:45:19 +0000 http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/09/07/is-taiwan-a-province-of-china/#comment-1669 Actually Taiwan is a province of China. Until recently, and perhaps still, the govt of Taiwan has claimed to be the true govt of China; a hangover from the Nationalists fleeing there when Mao drove them out of popwer on the mainland. Australia recognized the Nationalist claim until about 1972, when Gough Whitlam changed the policy and recognized the Communist govt. Some people in Taiwan want to declare independence, but no way China will accept that. So we have a standoff: Taiwan will stay kind of independent because of US protection but can never declare itself a separate country because China would then attack it. It's a kind of mutual understanding between China and the US. Moreover Taiwanese are now big investors on the mainland so it's in everyone's interests to keep playing this game. The Chinese are looking for a Hong Kong type solution eventually. Actually Taiwan is a province of China. Until recently, and perhaps still, the govt of Taiwan has claimed to be the true govt of China; a hangover from the Nationalists fleeing there when Mao drove them out of popwer on the mainland. Australia recognized the Nationalist claim until about 1972, when Gough Whitlam changed the policy and recognized the Communist govt.

Some people in Taiwan want to declare independence, but no way China will accept that. So we have a standoff: Taiwan will stay kind of independent because of US protection but can never declare itself a separate country because China would then attack it. It’s a kind of mutual understanding between China and the US. Moreover Taiwanese are now big investors on the mainland so it’s in everyone’s interests to keep playing this game. The Chinese are looking for a Hong Kong type solution eventually.

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