Their relationship |
China and Taiwan 
Taiwan is less than 100 miles away from China, with the Taiwan Strait separating the two. Taiwan's most enduring problem is its troubled relationship with China. The island's existence as a separate country is a humiliation to the mainland (China), which considers Taiwan a breakaway province. By insisting that Taiwan return to the motherland on its terms, and by threatening military force in order to achieve this, China has left itself little room for a peaceful solution. |
1. What part of Taiwanese and Chinese culture makes the separation of Taiwan from China a humiliating situation? (hint: see "The People" section) 2. Why doesn't Taiwan want to be a part of China? 3. What contradiction is the USA making regarding Taiwan's independence? |
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A pro-Taiwan rally. Taiwan wants independence, China wants Taiwan back in their control. Polls show that the vast majority of people in Taiwan which to remain separate from China. That stance has strengthened in the past decade, as the China-born "mainlander" generation has lost influence, and a pro-Taiwan identity has emerged. The Taiwanese people see no reason to return to China, which they view as a badly governed country where business is dominated by corrupt officials, personal freedom is limited, and the quality of life is poor. However, despite having opposite goals, the two sides have talked. In 1992 and 1993, discussions were held under a One China platform, which held that Taiwan and China were part of one country, but with two governments. But, in the mid-1990s, under Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui, the relationship worsened. Lee introduced rules restricting Taiwanese investment in China and refused to re-open direct air and shipping links to China, which have been banned since 1949. In 1999, Lee broke from the One China policy, saying the two sides were separate states, and should negotiate as such.
Chinese soldiers The third major player in the relationship, the United States, endorses the One China policy and does not support Taiwanese independence. But the Taiwan Relations Act agreement between the US and Taiwan, signed in 1979, implies that America will provide Taiwan with defensive weapons and defend it against attack. Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to behave like an independent country, conducting its own foreign policy. It is not a member of the United Nations, but it has nearly 30 diplomatic allies, and every year requests admission to the world body. Nor has Taiwan neglected its military forces. Its air force now has 150 Lockheed F-16 fighter jets and 60 French-built Mirage 2000 fighters, along with 130 home-made IDF jets. Enlisting in the military is mandatory for all Taiwanese young men, and over 300,000 soldiers serve full time in the military. The US is pushing for greater professionalism, and President George W. Bush has agreed to sell Taiwan weaponry that was previously off-limits, including diesel submarines. Finally, the two sides are still as far apart as ever, and it is difficult to see where they can compromise. For Taiwan, the purpose of negotiations is to stall indefinitely. For China, it is to reunify as quickly as possible. ---------- Recent articles about Taiwan/China relations: "150,000 at Taiwan rally insist: We're not part of China" "Taiwan Pres. Hints At Unification" "Bush Opposes Taiwan Independence" ---------- Explore more about the relations between China and Taiwan with the USA involved here.
President Bush and China's Premier Wen Jiabao shake hands at the White House. |
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