Taiwanese Independence

[SuchianFrog735]

I noticed that there was a closed thread for this topic so I decided to bring it out again.

As someone who identifies as Taiwanese, this is an interesting topic for me because of the variety of views. When it comes to pro-independence, some advocate a "Republic of Taiwan" while others say that current government there(the ROC) should just settle in Taiwan permanently.

I often find the repeated argument of "we have the same blood", and other arguments that Taiwanese Independence would be a form of American Imperialism, so it should be opposed.

What are the perspectives on this?

[tuwix]

Independence of Taiwan is just not possible in their political conditions. There are only few independent states in this world. Russia, continental China, Venezuela and Iran. Only they are independent. The rest is dependent in one or other way. Bolivia is pretty much dependent on Venezuela. All western Europe is dependent on the EU that is dependent on the USA that government is dependent on American corporations. Even Cuba is partly dependent on Venezuela (through cheap oil) and North Korea on China (international security).

[Sankara1983]

I believe that Taiwan should remain sovereign insofar as I believe China has no right to invade or otherwise take over against the will of the Taiwanese.

[KurtFF8]

Independence of Taiwan is just not possible in their political conditions. There are only few independent states in this world. Russia, continental China, Venezuela and Iran. Only they are independent. The rest is dependent in one or other way. Bolivia is pretty much dependent on Venezuela. All western Europe is dependent on the EU that is dependent on the USA that government is dependent on American corporations. Even Cuba is partly dependent on Venezuela (through cheap oil) and North Korea on China (international security).

Well there's quite a difference between political independence as a nation state, and de facto independence which is what you're talking about here. And while I think some of this is inaccurate (i.e. I don't think that Bolivia is as dependent on Venezuela as you make it out to be), it's talking about a different thing.

The political movement for independence in Taiwan seems to be tied to the history of the struggle between the nationalist and Communists in the civil war. I don't know too much about this history, but the US has certainly used Taiwan as an anchor against PRC power, and an independent Taiwan was US policy for a long time: although I believe the US gave this up under Bush.

[hatzel]

I never really understood how this could actually be an issue for real people. Just feels like something aloof politicians and diplomats talk about to keep their jaws from going rusty, 'hey guys, who thinks we should declare that we don't rule over that area we haven't ruled over for decades?' ...who cares? What difference could it possibly make? If they say yes, nothing changes because they're just admitting the reality is a reality, and if they say no, nothing changes, or does anybody seriously expect them to send an army over there to take the land back or something? It's a complete non-issue. Or, the existence of the issue and its use is an issue, but the issue itself is a non-issue...