<p>I'm actually pretty well-informed on both Chinese and Taiwanese politics as well as statecraft. However, to say that Taiwan was "as democratic as they could be" is a bit of a stretch. It's fairly clear that people had to FIGHT for democracy, as the KMT had very little interest in the ceding of power in a democratic state.</p>
<p>You also are assuming that all or most Taiwanese want to be separate-- this is unclear. Depending on the poll, upwards of 25% of Taiwanese (mostly those of Mainland descent) have favored reunification. While obviously not a majority, or even a plurality, there is no clear cut opinion that Taiwan should remain separate, even in Taiwan. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, there is a problem: it IS clear that a good number of Taiwanese wish to remain separate, while most Chinese believe Taiwan is part of China. In the end, however, China WILL NOT give up Taiwan. It's strategically a terrible idea. It's untenable from their perspective, actually. So then the question is, "Where do we go from there?"</p>
<p>The Koreans weren't Chinese! Hence, they don't count. On the other hand, Koxinga and his men were Chinese. Despite that he later did not support any of the remaining princes of Ming (b/c none of them were good leaders), it does not change the fact that he was Chinese (though he's really half Japanese. he always thought of himself as Chinese) and his regime represented the remaining resisting Han (as an ethnic group) forces.</p>
<p>The Treaty of Nanking was never a fair treaty. It was forced upon China after it lost the war. When have you seen a country willingly accept such a treaty if it has the power to fight back?</p>
<p>And your argument on US vs. Mexico is pretty weak. Just because they were two nations formed by immigrants (if that's even true), does not change the fact that US took Mexico's territories. And since US wouldn't give them back to Mexico, why should the Chinese government give Taiwan up? What's not yours is not yours, right? Just because you robbed your neighbor doesn't mean you have the right to his/her properties, no?</p>
<p>And one more thing, the Taiwan problem is an extention to the never finished civil war that took place decades ago. The PRC has the legitamate right to attack and take out the last post of its enemy. Just imagine for a minute if the North never finished the Civil War completely and left Key West in the hands of the Confederate, do you think Bush would sit quietly in the White House when the day Key West wants to declare its independence comes? I don't think so.</p>
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On the other hand, Koxinga and his men were Chinese
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Uhh, Koxinga was HALF-Japanese.</p>
<p>Anyway, he set up his OWN little kingdom and was in power over Taiwan for a period less than either the Dutch or Japanese.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The Treaty of Nanking was never a fair treaty. It was forced upon China after it lost the war. When have you seen a country willingly accept such a treaty if it has the power to fight back?
<p>The wild card is, and has been for many years, the most powerful navy in the Asian Pacific: The US Navy. China, even today, cannot match the US's naval might. And since any war with Taiwan would inevitably have to involve some sort of sea-based strike, it's pretty much an impossibility. </p>
<p>China faces, at present, overwhelming odds when it comes to the use of military power. The US and Japan (the 5th largest military spender) combined are a significant force. Even nixing Japan since its constitution obviously limits any use of the military leaves the US, which is by far more powerful at sea. </p>
<p>But China will never never never let the Taiwan issue rest. Politically, it cannot. It MUST fight for Taiwan, lest it look weak on dissident territories. The second it lets Taiwan go, there goes Tibet...and the Uighurs... and Inner Mongolia...</p>
<p>lol this thread just shows how many chinese and taiwanese students are on this site, including me. I'm really bad with the current political situation in taiwan and china, (i dont keep up with news) so i dont know what to say, except this argument is pointless, and taiwan should cut the "free taiwan" crap.</p>