Taiwan (Why do the ChiComs get so worked up about it?)

Okay I understand the history of Taiwan and the nationalists, but a question for the CHiCOms out there? Why do you guys get so worked up about them being independant. Instead of acting like an impotent bully, why dont you open relations with them, make a trading partner with them etc? Maybee if you acted like a older brother instead of a greedy 3 year old relative, they may eventually become more receptive to unification. No doubt a whole lot of changes are needed in the mainland but you never know.....

I don't understand why mainland China wants Taiwan so bad either. When you look at the two on a map, mainland China is HUGE and Taiwan is so SMALL in comparison. Also, with 1 billion + people already Chinese citizens, you'd think that mainland China would be reluctant to add even MORE people to its population.

I don't understand it. From my point of view, I'm surprised that Taiwan is not an afterthought for China...

All one has to do is look at the Gross National Product (GNP) of each and the answer becomes a bit clearer. Add to the mix that Taiwan has a strong, high technology infrastructure, it should be no surprise why China covets its neighbor. (Can we say "Catch-up with the West?")

Now, let's take it one more step: Taiwan is a democracy. The free flow of ideas based upon freedom and liberty are pure poison to communist countries and the elite Marxists that control them.

It's getting late for me to type more, and there are so many other things to be said about this topic. Admittedly, it's not just GNP, but it has everything to do with prosperity, liberty, and freedom.