The roof of World is boiling again after almost 2 decades. In response to the strict Chinese hold on the social, economical n religious life of Tibet, thousands of monks and local youths “marooned” the streets of Lhasa- the caital of Tibet. Native people and communities are protesting against strict laws on practicing Buddhism, setting up Trade and many other basic Rights. The Migration of Han-Chinese people into tibet and implementing major changes in and around the land is causing huge amount of agitation and it’s clearly evident from the magnitude of the protests. While Chinese forces are aggressively marching this “peaceful” part of world attracting lot of diplomatic and religious attention, I think there’s another aspect which is equally disturbing , both in terms of politics and military affairs. The attitude of Chinese communist government towards Taiwan is a pretty long stand and as a matter of fact complicated also.It all started when Kuomintang (KMT) armies of C
hiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in 1949 after their defeat at the hands of the Communists. Chinese red army was going great guns with this win, setting up diplomatic relations and ties with neighboring communist countries and against anything which is “pro-capitalist”, but the plucky island nation has seen many unique transformations. The KMT had ruled it in its traditional dictatorial way, with the larger than life image of Chiang stamped on Taiwan. But Taiwan progressed economically to become a world centre of excellence in computer technology,biotechnology and modern business methodologies. Taiwan is way different from mainland china.Taiwan is a modern industrial megalopolis with the fringes of old culture.If u step out from chaotic Taipei you will know why it is known as “IIho Formosa” aka “The Beautiful Island”. Sitting beside Siouguluon river and enjoying bunon dance is a nice way to experience the beauty of this island nation. It’s mountainous terrain in the east and gradual slope towards the west strangely echoes it’s geo-political policies which are widely pro-west.
After the US repudiated diplomatic links with Taiwan in a reversal of policy towards the mainland — mid-wifed by Henry Kissinger in 1971 — leaving a military lifeline for the island, the KMT lived by its wits. It’s different thing that under the table and out of media’s attention US remained the main arms supplier and diplomatic back for this tiny but gutsy island nation. The “grand old man of Taiwan”, Lee Teng-hui, the father of the island’s independence movement, helped install Chen Sui-bian in office as President as the island took a dramatic turn towards democracy. Chen’s greatest gift has been the sharpening of the Taiwanese identity, and, except for China, most countries are reasonably happy with supporting a majority of Taiwanese who feel comfortable with its virtual independence. China has not taken off the table the use of force to bring Taiwan into the Chinese State. The United States has accepted Beijing’s "one China" policy but retains an agreement to come to the island’s rescue in times of distress and is the main supplier of arms.
In 1996, the Chinese had lobbed missiles into the Taiwan Strait to discourage the island’s voters to support Lee Teng-hui, a tactic that badly misfired, apart from provoking the US to send a massive naval armada towards the island and installing permanent bomber and tactical air force activity on the Taiwan strait and Indian ocean.The incident also changed the activities of US navy’s Seventh Fleet, Indian Navy and NATO forces stationed at Japan. Today mainland China have become more sophisticated in terms of economy, social structure , wooing Taiwan with promises of lovely future although a formidable array of missiles facing Taiwan remains in place on the mainland. This is a strategy and principle china has been adopting for long- A “White rose” bouquet in one hand and a “Rifle” in another hand.
For one thing, the Taiwanese are in no mood to accept the "one China, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong and Macau became part of the mainland. Taiwan’s transition to democracy has become a new hurdle to the island becoming part of a one-party state, but the Taiwanese identity chiseled by Lee and Chen has encouraged a sense of nationalism, Beijing will find hard to dent. Taiwan has enjoyed de facto independence for close to 50 years and its background as a Japanese colony had kept it out of mainland Chinese mainstream for many years. So there’s less probability of integration, atleast in near future.
Taiwanese Government promises to try to make peace with the mainland by promoting a better security relationship through military confidence-building measures, but it is in effect putting "reunification" on the back-burner for at least some decades. Thus far, Taiwan’s efforts to gain international recognition have become a game and a ritual. The island is recognized by few countries; those that do are small Caribbean, African or other island nations. Every year, Taiwan seeks entry into the United Nations – it was replaced by China in the UN Security Council after the United States transferred its recognition to Beijing – and its application is routinely shot down at the procedural stage. At regional economic group meetings, its representation is pegged at bureaucratic, rather than political levels in deference to Beijing’s sensitivities. In international sporting events, it must compete as Chinese Taiwan.For Taiwanese, these rituals serve a purpose, however hopeless the island’s prospects of wider recognition in the face of strong opposition from Beijing.
It is strengthening the feeling of being Taiwanese. The key question remains: will Beijing have the patience to smother Taiwan in an economic embrace over several decades – an embrace it cannot leave because the two economies will become fused? Or Perhaps Beijing will make a gesture by removing inland some of the intimidating missile batteries aimed at Taiwan.
hiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in 1949 after their defeat at the hands of the Communists. Chinese red army was going great guns with this win, setting up diplomatic relations and ties with neighboring communist countries and against anything which is “pro-capitalist”, but the plucky island nation has seen many unique transformations. The KMT had ruled it in its traditional dictatorial way, with the larger than life image of Chiang stamped on Taiwan. But Taiwan progressed economically to become a world centre of excellence in computer technology,biotechnology and modern business methodologies. Taiwan is way different from mainland china.Taiwan is a modern industrial megalopolis with the fringes of old culture.If u step out from chaotic Taipei you will know why it is known as “IIho Formosa” aka “The Beautiful Island”. Sitting beside Siouguluon river and enjoying bunon dance is a nice way to experience the beauty of this island nation. It’s mountainous terrain in the east and gradual slope towards the west strangely echoes it’s geo-political policies which are widely pro-west.After the US repudiated diplomatic links with Taiwan in a reversal of policy towards the mainland — mid-wifed by Henry Kissinger in 1971 — leaving a military lifeline for the island, the KMT lived by its wits. It’s different thing that under the table and out of media’s attention US remained the main arms supplier and diplomatic back for this tiny but gutsy island nation. The “grand old man of Taiwan”, Lee Teng-hui, the father of the island’s independence movement, helped install Chen Sui-bian in office as President as the island took a dramatic turn towards democracy. Chen’s greatest gift has been the sharpening of the Taiwanese identity, and, except for China, most countries are reasonably happy with supporting a majority of Taiwanese who feel comfortable with its virtual independence. China has not taken off the table the use of force to bring Taiwan into the Chinese State. The United States has accepted Beijing’s "one China" policy but retains an agreement to come to the island’s rescue in times of distress and is the main supplier of arms.
In 1996, the Chinese had lobbed missiles into the Taiwan Strait to discourage the island’s voters to support Lee Teng-hui, a tactic that badly misfired, apart from provoking the US to send a massive naval armada towards the island and installing permanent bomber and tactical air force activity on the Taiwan strait and Indian ocean.The incident also changed the activities of US navy’s Seventh Fleet, Indian Navy and NATO forces stationed at Japan. Today mainland China have become more sophisticated in terms of economy, social structure , wooing Taiwan with promises of lovely future although a formidable array of missiles facing Taiwan remains in place on the mainland. This is a strategy and principle china has been adopting for long- A “White rose” bouquet in one hand and a “Rifle” in another hand.
For one thing, the Taiwanese are in no mood to accept the "one China, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong and Macau became part of the mainland. Taiwan’s transition to democracy has become a new hurdle to the island becoming part of a one-party state, but the Taiwanese identity chiseled by Lee and Chen has encouraged a sense of nationalism, Beijing will find hard to dent. Taiwan has enjoyed de facto independence for close to 50 years and its background as a Japanese colony had kept it out of mainland Chinese mainstream for many years. So there’s less probability of integration, atleast in near future.
Taiwanese Government promises to try to make peace with the mainland by promoting a better security relationship through military confidence-building measures, but it is in effect putting "reunification" on the back-burner for at least some decades. Thus far, Taiwan’s efforts to gain international recognition have become a game and a ritual. The island is recognized by few countries; those that do are small Caribbean, African or other island nations. Every year, Taiwan seeks entry into the United Nations – it was replaced by China in the UN Security Council after the United States transferred its recognition to Beijing – and its application is routinely shot down at the procedural stage. At regional economic group meetings, its representation is pegged at bureaucratic, rather than political levels in deference to Beijing’s sensitivities. In international sporting events, it must compete as Chinese Taiwan.For Taiwanese, these rituals serve a purpose, however hopeless the island’s prospects of wider recognition in the face of strong opposition from Beijing.
It is strengthening the feeling of being Taiwanese. The key question remains: will Beijing have the patience to smother Taiwan in an economic embrace over several decades – an embrace it cannot leave because the two economies will become fused? Or Perhaps Beijing will make a gesture by removing inland some of the intimidating missile batteries aimed at Taiwan.
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