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Originally posted by SomewhereinBetween
I've read most of the posts on this thread, and I must say that they are filled with misinformation. Just to clear up a few things:
China does in fact have a legitimate claim to Taiwan, going back over 300 years, which was forcefully interrupted by the Japanese then reclaimed by China after the end of WWII.
China has no issue with Taiwan's semi-independence, it does however take exception to it trying to secede. I believe the U.S can relate to the fight to keep its union whole.
The U.S has no authority with which to intervene in the affairs between China and Taiwan since the true diplomatic ties are with China the nation, one China, with teh obligation being to Beijing. As well, there is no defense of Taiwan allegiance. Fact is, the U.S is involved for one reason and one reason only in my opinion; a sovereign Taiwan would allow diplomatic arrangements with the U.S and easier military access to Asia Pacific.
Finally, economic embargo would be futile. China holds anywhere between one quarter to one half of the U.S treasury's debt.
Originally posted by jazzmaster
China does in fact have a legitimate claim to Taiwan, going back over 300 years, which was forcefully interrupted by the Japanese then reclaimed by China after the end of WWII.
I do not have much knowledge about Taiwan's history, so I am going to leave this one open to ludahail
China has no issue with Taiwan's semi-independence, it does however take exception to it trying to secede. I believe the U.S can relate to the fight to keep its union whole.
What semi-independence? of China allowing Taiwan to have a military force, an independent economy, and its own democratic government? More of like China cannot stop the process taking place right now. China takes every chance it has to dismiss Taiwan. At the Olympic, Taiwanese athletes were called Chinese Taipei. China cannot stand Taiwan doing what it wants to do right now, it's more like China has no control over the situation.
The U.S has no authority with which to intervene in the affairs between China and Taiwan since the true diplomatic ties are with China the nation, one China, with teh obligation being to Beijing. As well, there is no defense of Taiwan allegiance. Fact is, the U.S is involved for one reason and one reason only in my opinion; a sovereign Taiwan would allow diplomatic arrangements with the U.S and easier military access to Asia Pacific.
The US has been involved with Taiwan's internal affairs since the 50s, when Taiwan was trying to establish itself. The US helped Taiwan to become a democratic country. This policy has been established since the Cold War, in which the US will help any country that wants to become democratic. I believe the Domino Theory justified this policy. Not only now the US is supporting Taiwan, it has been doing this since the 50s. The US is a world police. And I've said this before, the US wants to support Taiwan because Taiwan is a sweet piece of pie. Hey the US is actually benefiting from this right now. Right, its location in the Pacific makes Taiwan a perfect military strongold for the US in Asia.
Finally, economic embargo would be futile. China holds anywhere between one quarter to one half of the U.S treasury's debt.
I am not familiar with this figure, give me sometime to dig this up. Or better yet, please provide me a link to it..
Originally posted by fawlty
Native Americans once owned Manhattan...but that doesent mean they will ever get it back. Germany once occupied France and many eastern european countries but no longer does. Russia once occupied many eastern block countries but no longer does. The British owned parts of France at on time. Just because you once owned something doesent mean you own it for eternity. What a pathetically weak argument on your part.
I've read most of the posts on this thread, and I must say that they are filled with misinformation. Just to clear up a few things:
"It wasn't until 1887, that the Manchu Imperial authorities decided to declare Taiwan to be a "province" of their Empire: they wanted to outmaneuver the Japanese, who were expanding their influence to the South.
The ploy didn't work: in 1895 the Japanese defeated the Manchu's in the Sino-Japanese War, and in the Treaty of Shimonoseki, China ceded Taiwan to Japan in perpetuity (not 99 years, like Hong Kong's New Territories, but in perpetuity, i.e. forever). "
By your claim, the British could decide to take back Hong Kong
China surrendered Taiwan to Japan but now wants the territory back. How typical of a third world country. You dont see the British demanding Hong Kong be returned. One thing the Brits have that the Chinese will never have as a whole and that is class.
As far as dumping American debt is concerned...it would have zero effect on the U.S. economy. If you sell off large volumes of debt at once you devalue your own holdings and ruin your own economy. U.S. institutions would then be able to buy back the debt at a marginal price and make a killing. It would only be to our benefit.
China has no options when it comes to Taiwan. The U.S. currently dictates their foreign policy and should China attempt to set its own military or economic policy which endangers U.S. interests, they will harm themselves more than the U.S.
Originally posted by jazzmaster
China has no issue with Taiwan's semi-independence, it does however take exception to it trying to secede. I believe the U.S can relate to the fight to keep its union whole.
What semi-independence? of China allowing Taiwan to have a military force, an independent economy, and its own democratic government? More of like China cannot stop the process taking place right now. China takes every chance it has to dismiss Taiwan. At the Olympic, Taiwanese athletes were called Chinese Taipei. China cannot stand Taiwan doing what it wants to do right now, it's more like China has no control over the situation.
Originally posted by PlatoAthens
QUOTE: But if you wish to have me post an argument, then here it is: to the victor the spoils, and Taiwan is after reclaiming it from Japan, the spoil of China.
China did not defeat Japan on its own,were it not for US. You probably forget it is those the two big atomic bombs dropped over on Japan that really settled the score. Following your own logic, US could overtake China as a spoil anytime it wants to.