OPPapers.com

Taiwan

There is a most intriguing article in the December( 2004) issue of The Atlantic that focuses in on the current tension that has been brewing in Taiwan. The article, named "Strait-jacket" discusses the unstable relationship between the Peoples Republic of China (Mainland China) and their   "renegade province," Republic of China (Taiwan). The argument over Taiwan's status dates back to 1949, when the Chinese Communist emerged victorious in China's bloody civil war and the conquered Nationalists fled to the island (Corson, 54). For years both sides believed that Taiwan was still part of a larger China. The Communist still hoped to seize the island while the Nationalists hoped to use it as a base from which to eventually take the mainland (55). The article goes on to explain how the majority of present day Taiwanese no longer look to China for their national identity. But on the mainland a very different attitude has developed. Although China's leaders have not hinted that they want to occupy Taiwan, they are still are hopeful about a proposed "one country, two system" solution, that was first offered in 1979 (56). Taiwan seems to be leaning toward claiming their Independence while China is set on unification. In order for one to comprehend and appreciate the needed sovereignty of the Taiwanese people and their country, there should be an educated understanding of their oppressed history. Should they announce their independence and choose a new name such as the Republic of Taiwan, this will be a bold act of vindication that is long overdue.
    The first Chinese imperial claim on the Taiwan area could be dated back to the thirteenth century, when the Mongols' Yuan dynasty took control of the island of Penghu. The mainland rulers of the Ming dynasty considered China to be economically self-sufficient and thus refused European trade. This did not stop other countries from showing interest in Taiwan. One country that was very aggressive was the Dutch as they eventually...