In my quest to learn as much as possible about China, I have come to discover one of the most interesting political conflicts that I have ever studied, the conflict between China and Taiwan. On one hand Taiwan is a very self-sufficient nation, having their own currency, military, educational system, and government. However, Taiwan is not recognized by the United Nations, and therefore not recognized by the rest of the world, as an independent country. Part of me really sympathizes with Taiwan, who broke away from China when Chiang Kai Shek fled there to escape communist China, led by Chairman Mao. They have spent decades developing a well working democracy, and establishing themselves as a economic power within this world. Being from a democratic nation myself, it would be extremely hard for me to adapt to being part of such a contrasting form of government. On the other hand, I completely understand China's reluctance to give away their ownership of Taiwan, as it would set a precedence for others to break away, especially Tibet. If all individual areas of China, which vary in religious and cultural beliefs, began fighting for their independence, China as we know would cease to exist.
It is interesting for me to hear the varying Taiwanese responses, which vary in severity, on this subject. I have a Taiwanese friend who is very anti-China, does not identify himself as a Chinese, and detests the idea of a mergence between the two. My current boyfriend however, who is also Taiwanese, is proud of his Chinese heritage, and actually favors a reunion.
If there is anyone out there reading this, I would love to hear your thoughts!
7 comments:
I don't profess to know much about the political history between Taiwan and Mainland China, but what has struck me as fascinating was how varied the opinions of individuals (both Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese). Some don't even regard it as a big issue.
I've heard many Mainland Chinese say that Taiwan is a lost cause and that they should just give up the claim to it. Others strongly believe that Taiwan is still part of China. What has impressed me is that I have yet to see these political differences get in the way of friendships.
Pretty sure you just taught my more than any history teacher ever did! :)
Hey Savannah,
Cool blog.
There is no doubt that Taiwan should always be part of China as Hawaii should always be part of the U.S. despite how the crazy natives in Hawaii feel about independence.
Jessica... YOU'RE HOT!!!
Thanks for leaving comments! I enjoy hearing other's opinions!
I'm from mainland China and I don't have a problem of Taiwan being an independent country, though I don't expect that could ever happen. I have a problem with ppl from Taiwan saying they are Taiwanese, not Chinese. Come on, what's the problem of being a Chinese! Chinese are all over the world, is it a shame of being a Chinese or something?
I am a Chinese born and grew up in Indonesia, and I'm very proud of my Chinese heritage, just like most overseas Chinese, I hope that someday there'll be a unification between PRC and ROC(Taiwan).
I don't really care with all that political things, I don't care which party will later be 'in charge' and take the control of mainland China and Taiwan (although now it seems impossible for KMT to take over the mainland China, as Communist China is getting stronger in many aspects).
I just hope that they will stop fighting with each other so that China will become one, and grow stronger. When the Communist Chinese win the civil war and took control of most Chinese territory, many overseas Chinese were glad, not because they support the communism ideology, but merely because they still have a deep feeling towards their 'motherland' and had been long time wishing a one government to rule the scattered country back then because Chinese are just like the Jewish, both had suffered hardships for centuries, from the dynasty era, Mongolian invasion, Japanese occupation etc. As a Chinese, sometimes I feel so sad, but I'm also proud with China's achievements in these recent decades, although I'm carrying an Indonesian passport :p
I believe someday, the unification will happen. :)
The conflict between the Taiwan Strait is not only a major domestic issue inside Taiwan but it also affects the relationship between China and the US. To truly understand the conflict, one has to understand the historical background of the conflict. Personally I’m from a family that has a member in every part of the spectrum ranging from radical denunciation of our Chinese heritage to blindly follow whatever the pro-unification factions says without discernment. Even though my immediate family is pro-independence I take a more moderate stands and look at the issue from an objective perspective. Oh, as a side note, most people in Taiwan, except the radicals, would identify themselves as “Chinese”. However in the Chinese language there are multiple ways to express the same thing. The objection that most pro-independence factions have of being call is “national Chinese”. The preferred identification is one of “cultural Chinese” which also everyone will universally accept.
The cross strait conflict basically started from end of the Sino-Japanese War when China lost and must pay restitutions to Japan. As part of the restitution Japan obtained the territories of Korea and Taiwan. In an attempt to try to discourage the Japanese from taking Taiwan, the administration official representing the Imperial court described Taiwan as a place where “birds do not sing and flowers aren’t fragrant” basically saying Taiwan is a wasteland. In the process of withdrawing from Taiwan, many of the Chinese troops pillaged the land and stole from the people.
During Japanese rule for the next 50 years Taiwan was modernized by Japan through the building of infrastructure with the plan of eventual plan of integrating Taiwan as part of Japan proper. Although discrimination was common of Japanese against Taiwanese, the people enjoyed a relatively peaceful and prosperous life. To this day my grandparent’s generation still holds a longing for the days of Japanese rule.
The end of World War II and the unconditional surrender of Japan, Japan gave up all territories obtained during the war. Taiwan reverted to back to Chinese rule. When the KMT took over Taiwan the Chinese Civil War was still going on between the Nationalist and Communists. The KMT transferred resources from Taiwan to the mainland in support of the war effort. However instead of doing it in an equitable way the government “purchased” the currency of Taiwan with a newly printed “New Taiwan Dollar” at a rate of 4 to 1 where the people saw their wealth disappear overnight!
There are many incidents that happen that created more and more animosity between the “mainlanders” that came over after the war and native Taiwanese that contributed to the distaste of the people of Taiwan for China that I don’t have the time to get into. Basically the experience that people in Taiwan had with the governments from China is one of exploitation, abuse, rape and theft. With the Cultural Revolution and various other movements that spread through China where the people where kill and exploited, it made the Taiwanese very suspicious of the life they would have if unification happens with the current Communist government.
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