My replies are in bold.
2) Taiwan has never, in the last 1 or 2 decades, advocated war to
solve the differences between herself and China.
Posted by pearlie27
Yes, but it, or rather ah bian, has advocated independence, which
is equivalent to the declaration of war to China!
Advocating a formal statehood for Taiwan will equal to war
only if China says so, therefore the choice lies with China.
Taiwanese has the fundamental right to express what they want for
their future, although I think that voting for Pan-Green or
Pan-Blue doesn't mean agreeing with their ideology.
I think it cannot be ignored that some people vote base on interest
and not ideology. They may agree with declararing a Taiwan state,
but they know China will most probably use force when that is done,
therefore out of being realistic, they voted for Pan-Blue. Just an
assumption.
3) China, however, returned by stating that it will not give up the
use of force on Taiwan and continues, to this day, to increase the
number of missiles pointed at Taiwan (abt 700 RIGHT THIS MOMENT)
and continues to expand its military.
Posted by pearlie27
if I don't remeber wrongly, the missiles pointing was a direct
result of ah bian's call to pass a law for Taiwan to address itself
as Taiwan and not the Republic of China
Was there such an event that took place? Although I do
remember Ah Bian and one of Taiwan's ministries(which is in charge
of passports etc.), should be Foreign Affairs Ministry, calling for
the word 'Taiwan' to be added to the passport, of which the cover
page says 'Republic of China Passport'. And they have, so it has
become 'Republic of China (Taiwan) Passport' or something like
that. And they did that for a practical reason that some foreign
countries have identified 'Republic of China' as China and
therefore bringing some troubles to the Taiwanese
travellers.
4) China entices Taiwan businesspeople to invest there with the
econimical rewards due to the huge market there, and on the other
hand, continues to place missiles to point at Taiwan, re-stating
the so called 'One China' policy, restating it will not give up the
use of force and even enacted an anti-Secession Law.
Posted by pearlie27
It is all ah bian's fault
?? What do you mean by 'it is all Ah Bian' fault? Elaborate
pls.
6) China claims Taiwan as part of its territory when PRC has never
ever governed or set foot on Taiwan. China talks about 'national
sovereignty and territorial integrity' when citing reason to take
Taiwan. BS. If Taiwan today is underdeveloped and not in the
strategic position that it is, will China bother?
Posted by pearlier27
But that of course! Aren't there plenty of e.g. of countries
fighting tooth and nail when useful resources are found in dubious
territories?
I agree with your point but I think you missed mine. I was
trying to imply that the Chinese Govt. is just as practical as
other countries fighting for territories with rich resources but to
wrap it up with their 'defending national sovereignty and
territorial integrity' and the 'achieving unification of the mother
land is the sacred mission of all Chinese people including the
people of Taiwan' rhetoric just sound so fake.
7) some Chinese have said to me that Taiwan and China both are
Chinese countries, Chinese should unite. But does uniting means all
becoming one nation? EU is not just one nation, it is a nation of
nations. And if all Chinese should unite into one country,
Singapore and China should merge since it is about 3/4
Chinese?
Posted by pearlie27
The relationship between Taiwan and China is different from that of
Europe. Your last question is too far-fetched!
That is exactly what I'm trying to illustrate with
Singapore being a principally Chinese nation merging with China. It
is too far fetched when some Chinese I know tells me that being
Chinese means having to unite under one nation. Coming together
into one nation is not the only way to be united.
Yeah EU is different from Taiwan and China, agree. That's the point
I was trying to make to someone who said EU can co-operate, why
can't the Chinese from China and Taiwan. Btw, I'm not implying that
Singapore being principally Chinese means other races like Malay
and Indian do not matter.
8 ) China has a choice with war. Singapore FM George Yeo once said
in UN that any move towards Taiwan independence will lead to
regional instability and troubles. That view is skewed because
ultimately who holds the button to launch the missiles, China does.
So does China have a choice?
Posted by pearlie27
Don't know what is your stand leh? So does China has a choice or
not?
My stand is China has a choice.
9) Taiwanese have to see it clear now, that China has no intention,
or less intention to negotiate with Taiwan unless Taiwan recognises
that itself is a part of China. So if they want the democracy and
freedom in Taiwan now, they must be ready to defend it.
If Taiwan softens, China will take it for granted. Look at what
happened when President Chen tried to extend olive branches, China
just will not budge, missiles keep increasing, military keep
expanding, not giving up use of force and now Anti- Secession Law.
Taiwan should not back down anymore and should really review its
China policy, especially on allowing businesses to invest in China.
It is well known that Chinese Govt. make things difficult for
Taiwan firms doing businss in China if they support President Chen
or Taiwan independence and China still advocates that politics and
economics be separated. Back when Lee Teng Hui was president, he
was the only one who dared to shout back and take tough stances
against China and US or anyone else. He was sometimes crude and
undiplmoatic, but that, unfortunately, is the only way to deal with
China.
Posted by pearlie27
ah bian extending olive branches? He only backed down when he lost
support at home.
you really think lee teng hui actually dare to take tough stances
agst China, US and anyone else?
Anyway, the situation now and during lee teng hui's time is
completely different .
That is the nature of politics, you back down when you
lose. Pan-Green lost the Parliamentary polls to Pan-Blue,
indicating to them that the people do not want them to do things
100% their way, that a stronger opposition is desired to check and
balance the Govt. and that the Govt. should be consultative and
inclusive. Ah Bian took that implication, that is why he backed
down. I believe any other politicians will have to hear the
people's call. That is also why he started extending olive branches
to China. I cited Lee as example to contrast how different is
Taiwan's Govt. adopts a softer image now because I feel that a
softer image for the Taiwan Govt. will not work well when it comes
to dealing with China. And even with U.S, I think now there is a
tendency in the Taiwan Govt. to consult or 'report' to U.S too
much. I feel that certain things if the Taiwan Govt. feels that
they have to be done, then just do it, there is no need to check
with or consult any foreign governments.
And yes that is what I meant as said by lwflee, that China is the
aggressor with the choice of whether to wage war or not, and that
Taiwanese are at no fault wanting their future to be decided by
themselves.
Originally posted by Whack
ya. it is current taiwan garmen fault. they want to play who blink
first with china to show its younger population they got balls.
also trying to force US hand. once ah bian open mouth abt
indpendence, china sure tulan and roar. then US sure will warn
China dun anyhow sabre rattle or flex muslces. taiwan play both
sides.
What fault are you talking about? Is it any fault that
Taiwan Govt. and Taiwanese wanting their future to be decided by
themselves? Taiwan plays both sides because they have to. With the
world nowadays, every nation involved in global affairs will have
to play multi-sides, China does that too, warming up ties with U.S
yet maintaining and even improving friendship with Russia and North
Korea, U.S maintaining relations with India yet selling missiles to
Pakistan. Singapore, above table maintain very warm relations with
China but underneath, the economical and other relations with
Taiwan are all still there. My point is, nations play it this way
out of necessity and interest.
