Do all of you think Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China?

Up until the early 1970's , the UN and most Western nations recognized the Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan as the government of all of China and as such, had to consider Taiwan as a province of China (otherwise how can its government represent the whole of China if it were a foreign country, separate from China?).

In 1972, by an overwhelming vote by its members, the UN reversed its position and recognized the government of the People's Republic of China in Beijing as the government of all of China and its representatives thus replaced those of Taiwan in the UN, including in the Security Council.

The US and almost all of its allies followed suite in recognzing the Beijing government and all follow the "one China policy" that they have always maintained:"There is only one China and Taiwan is a part of China".

The Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan, made up of the followers of Chang Kai-shek who had fled the mainland following their defeat there in 1949 and supported by the US for many years, also followed the "one China policy" because they had always claimed that they were the sole legitimate government of all of China. They were never in favor of Taiwan independence because that would mean they would be totally out of business.

The talk about Taiwan independence only surfaced recently, after the Chinese Nationalists (Kuomintang) were voted out of power on Taiwan and the "native" Taiwanese took over the government there. But wait a minute, the so-called "native" Taiwanese are actually descendants of Chinese immigrants who had come over from mainland China, mainly Fujian (Fukian) province before 1949. The true "native Taiwanese" are actually of Malay descent who have been disposessed by the ethnic Chinese and deprived of their native island since the 17th century.

So, when we talk about Taiwanese independence, there's a lot of complications involved. Does that mean Taiwan is to be given back to the original inhabitants, the aboriginal Malay tribes? If so, would Hawaii be entitled to being independent as well and given back to the native Hawaiians? How about Australia? How about the US itself?

The main reason why most nations of the world do not support Taiwanese independence is not so much that they are afraid of China but they are afraid of the consequences to themselves. Once they recognize Taiwan independence from China, every separatist movement within their own countries would rise up too. clamoring for the same: not only Hawaii from the US but Scotland and Wales from the UK, Greenland from Denmark, the Basque region from Spain and France, Chechnya from Russia, Corsica from France, the Azores from Portugal, Kurdistan from Turkey (and Iraq), Kashmir from India (and Pakistan), Okinawa from Japan...ad finitum...

Nationalist China (Taiwan) used to represent entire China in the United Nations until Communist China wrestled it away from Taiwan. I do not know who is to blame for it. Politics during the Cold War was different. Since then Taiwan's status has become vague. It is not considered as an independent nation or part of Mainland China. In fact Taiwan through its Nationalist leaders still claim to the legitimate rulers of entire China. However after 60 years, things has changed. It is high time to close the history books let Taiwan have its own life. China should realize that Taiwan will never become part of their Communist rule and I do not think the United States would allow such to thing to happen. A Communist Taiwan will pose some security in balance in the region as it is found in a busy sea lane.

It is often much better to have semi-independence than full Independence. In the case of Taiwan, China believes that they own Taiwan. And to give in and allow Independence, will be a disgrace to the mainland government. I have been here for 11 years, and all of my Taiwanese friends believe that full Independence from China would be a huge mistake politically and defensively.

i think the united states government sent some regis class destroyers two to be exact to show china how commit ed we are to Taiwan and there sovereignty

I thought Taiwan was independent.

I think Taiwan is Taiwan, and China is China.

China should leave Taiwan alone...

Do I think this issue has not been fully resolved? Yes, I do.

Do I think the Taiwanese and the Chinese need to more to resolve this issue? Yes, I do. Do I KNOW Taiwan is still the Republic of China? Yes, I do.

actually i thought taiwan is already independent until recently.and in fact i think it should be.i think it can already stand on its own.

i agree with you