The People’s Republic of China, which we shall call China because that’s what it is called, is ruled by a single party. Not a democracy by any definition but getting more capitalist every day. The Republic of China, which we shall call Taiwan to avoid too much confusion, is ruled by a mostly two party system. It is a genuine democracy and very much capitalist. China, the real China, used to be the Republic of China and ruled over China and Taiwan. When Taiwan was not ruled by Japan. We shall just call Japan Japan.
When China became the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan became the Republic of China. The People’s Republic of China claimed ownership of the Republic of China while the Republic of China claimed ownership of the People’s Republic of China. Eventually Taiwan dropped that claim. With China’s nuclear weapons and the largest military in the world Taiwan realised it was never going to happen. Now half of Taiwanese want an eventual reunification with China if there is ever a less totalitarian government in China and the other half want recognised independence. This is the main difference between the two parties in Taiwan. And you thought your country’s politics were divisive.
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11 comments:
People wonder why China brings so much bad press on themselves by trying to silence critics. Their attempt to ban a film about the Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer gave the film, and the festival it was shown at, the kind of publicity it could never have achieved if the Chinese had just shut up.
But it's not really about silencing critics abroad. It's about fostering nationalism at home.
Therefore, my guess would be that it's in China's interests to have a hostile government in Taiwan because it will harden the masses against these upstart outsiders, whereas a Taiwanese government that is friendly to China would not be as convenient a propaganda tool.
The Dalai Lama's visit is not necessarily an act of blatant defiance. Doing what you choose to do regardless of what others think doesn't have to be defiant, it's just independant.
Free Tibet now!
Free Taiwan too!
I am sure, being israeli and in her service, you are very familiar with de jure and de facto. The single most important factor I think in the area, relates to the de facto. The PRC wants Taiwan and it possesses the forces to do this. It simply lacks the courage in the face of the de facto rumblings that exist mainly in the USA.
Any form of military action against Taiwan and its islands will surely result in conflagration. The United States is very much present in Taiwan, even if its presence is considered Private, with private embassies, and private staff on leave from the various departments. The missile systems are also the product of private efforts, or capitalistic efforts you might say, and the presence of the American Navy in chinese waters that is causing considerable problems right now is simply a coincidence and a problem deciphering miles from kilometers.
Add the uncertainty of introducing the Human Rights debate into the current tensions will make the USA squirm since it wants a more practicable relationship with the PRC. China has its hands full right now with its Muslim populations. Perhaps the DL does not like this loss of focus on his issues. I dont know enough about any of this of course.
Oops. ps. I had not signed in when I wrote the earlier comment and as a result came out anonymous. I am not of course anonymous.
Garry.
dalai hello?
Hello Dalai. Get it?
Bill, if China wanted a hostile government in Taiwan to bolster their own propaganda they'd favour the DPP since the DPP wants independence. That would make perfect sense given China's manipulative tactics. But China always favours the KMT which wants relations with China. Currently backdoor relations, but they hope one day to move on to more stimulating positions.
Ah. Read it wrong the first time. Thanks.
I don't care about China. Her people are boorish and racist and her food is too spicy. They need to abandon the old ways of communism and embrace the future.
I care about China. The people are interesting and the food is excellent. They're probably embracing the future faster than anybody.
The world knows that China is the future. China is the #1 place for investing and business. China is in the lead for education, culture, science, history, strengthening, banking, medicine and social developing. Taiwan is a backward and wayward province. It is wise of the world to choose China over taiwan.
It's more about economics than wisdom. China has over 1 billion customers. Taiwan has less than 30 million.
I'm sure China will overtake America as the world's economic superpower in due course.
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