Article 1: China and Taiwan Relations

More regarding this article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011501347.html

Summary of article :

This article talks about the conflict between China and Taiwan. The KMT ruled the island of Taiwan from 1949-2000 and made discriminatory laws against the Taiwanese then. After the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) got elected in 2000, they have made policies to strive away from the Kuomintang (KMT) party and become an independent country. The party has tried to break away from China but the government believes in a “one China” principle and regards Taiwan as unpatriotic and untrustworthy. There is much tension and there is a possibility of war as China has adopted policies which enable them to use violence if their power is threatened. As such, Taiwan and China have significantly increased their military powers the people in the countries have very strong opinions about this conflict.

Personal commentary:

Speaking from an objective view, I feel that China is too harsh on Taiwan and is playing a bully. On the February 27 1947, a violent anti-government fight broke out and between 10 000 to 30 000 people were killed. This incident was then called the 228 incident and it happened because of the anti-government tension the Taiwanese were feeling when the KMT ruled them.  As such, it is only right that Taiwan be able to break away from China and away from the party that has caused mass destruction in their country. 

However, China still wants to control Taiwan as they feel that having more territories would result in ultimate power for them, as evident in the “one China” mindset.  The people in both countries are have negative feelings towards one another and many are rallying for their own cause, though this has seemed to settle a bit in the recent years, though, there is still much tension between these two countries as the battle for Taiwan’s independence movement continues.

If not handled carefully, the tension between them could escalate into a violent conflict which would lead to possibly more deaths and tragedies than the 228 incident. In order for it to not happen, these two countries have adopted certain deterrent and diplomatic policies to lessen the probability of war and manage the conflict. Between 1998 and 2007, $14 billion of arms were sold to Taiwan and high-tech planes and missiles. China has also deployed ballistic missiles along the Taiwan Strait and continues to modernize both its missile forces and its amphibious assault capabilities. This display of military strength helps to lessen the tension as both countries are now aware of the capabilities and brute strength both of them have. This makes them think twice before engaging in war as they are aware that they both stand to lose a huge amount of manpower and resource. As such, the possibility of conflicts is largely reduced.

Also, they have reduced tension by working together to improve each other’s economy. After entering the World Trade Organisation, both countries have lowered restrictions on investment and has led to an increase in business, from  $8 billion in 1991 to $115 billion in 2006 in the Taiwan Strait. China has also become Taiwan’s top export partner and second largest import partner. This is a significant step in reducing conflict as both countries are appreciating each other. With this increase in business, both countries are benefiting from the partnership they have forged and the economies in both countries are stable. As such, both countries now depend on each other for a lucrative economy and have uncoiled some of the tension and hate that they have. They have become more tolerant of each other and have improved relations between these two countries, hence the chances of war are reduced and conflict has settled significantly.

Although these measures are in place, there is still residual tension between China and Taiwan. However, I do feel that if these two countries continue using a diplomatic and deterrent method in approaching this conflict and make strides to improve the situation, there would be a day where peace and harmony would happen in these two countries.