Why the status quo with Taiwan benefits the PRC

[MarxSchmarx]

Think about it. First, it would be enormously costly to attack Taiwan, no matter how egregious Taiwan's offenses. All for relatively little gain.
Second, the status quo helps justify a sophisticated and well disciplined army. Third, it helps galvanize Chinese nationalism internally.

Indeed, the real problem for the politburu in recognizing an "independent" Taiwan is that it may lose face and can't mobilize the military/SE region as quickly. Integrating Taiwan will force the uncomfortable question of the "next frontier" to justify a world-class military at the ruler's disposal. Moreover, it will set Chinese investment back a numb er of years if there is any sign of political instability. For these reasons, the Beijing government has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo viz. Taiwan and, I highly suspect, has no interest whatsoever in integrating it into the mainland or for recognizing its independence.

[Revy]

Well, the China - Taiwan dispute was originally and still is mostly factional. Taiwan refers to itself as the "Republic of China" and the Kuomintang are actually far more of "Chinese nationalists" than people on the mainland, they just don't support the Communist Party.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/ROC_PRC_comparison_eng.jpg

The ROC claims more land than the PRC does.

[Bankotsu]

Think about it. First, it would be enormously costly to attack Taiwan, no matter how egregious Taiwan's offenses. All for relatively little gain.
Second, the status quo helps justify a sophisticated and well disciplined army. Third, it helps galvanize Chinese nationalism internally.

Indeed, the real problem for the politburu in recognizing an "independent" Taiwan is that it may lose face and can't mobilize the military/SE region as quickly. Integrating Taiwan will force the uncomfortable question of the "next frontier" to justify a world-class military at the ruler's disposal. Moreover, it will set Chinese investment back a numb er of years if there is any sign of political instability. For these reasons, the Beijing government has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo viz. Taiwan and, I highly suspect, has no interest whatsoever in integrating it into the mainland or for recognizing its independence.

Any evidence that the PRC government holds the above views? Any speeches by officials, articles in official propaganda organs or state documents?

[RedStarOverChina]

Well, the China - Taiwan dispute was originally and still is mostly factional. Taiwan refers to itself as the "Republic of China" and the Kuomintang are actually far more of "Chinese nationalists" than people on the mainland, they just don't support the Communist Party.

It used to be a "factional dispute", but not anymore. Today the KMT and the CCP are getting along surprisingly well.

However, the majority of the Taiwanese have developed a separate identity---Even though it is recently fabricated and largely base on self-denial. This development is so intricate a whole book can be written about it.




OK, I disagree mostly with the topic starter.

The Chinese ruling class does favor the status quo, but only because they believe China is on the "right path" of integrating Taiwan.

The idea of "national unity" and "territorial integrity" is so deeply ingrained in the Chinese mentality---especially that of the ruling class, that for the leader to show any recognition of Taiwan's de facto independence is like having the Pope openly announcing his conversion to Islam.

It will not happen.

It's hard for the foreign mind to understand the "Communist Party's" religious devotion towards unification. The Chinese "Communist Party" largely emerged during the May 4th movement, a nationalist, anti-imperialist struggle. Moreover, it prides itself for being the only political regime in China able to fend off foreign aggression and hold China together within a couple of hundred years.

Of course, the Chinese Communist Party see the Mainland-Taiwan standoff as a legacy of foreign meddling in China. To recognize Taiwan's de facto independence would indicate its inability to hold China together.

And most importantly, they really, really, really believe that "Taiwan has always been a part of China". As much as the Pope believes in the Second Coming of Christ.