This is a nice primer. On the Taiwan issue, I think it's always worth mentioning the military significance of Taiwan: China is hemmed in by US bases all along its sea border (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines), and Taiwan is perhaps the place where it's most likely to be able to change that situation. The PRC has played the long game of economic and cultural assimilation quite happily with various border regions (Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong), and would probably be happy to wait Taiwan out if it were not for the problem of naval strategy.
(I was living here throughout the Chen Shui-bian terms, and the "worry" and "rhetoric" that are flying around are nothing new. You become a bit deadened to it after 20 years!)
Very interesting, useful and well written article! I learned a lot. It seems that the writer has lived in Taiwan and mainland China, so through extensive experience and research, could gain balanced perspective.
I am also a foreigner, and have lived in Taiwan and China. Indeed, Taiwanese and Chinese people's views differ a lot, and there are even so many differences within Taiwanese, depending on whether they are 外省人, 本省人, or 原住民, also depending on thier jobs, status, and generation. But I think the important thing is at least in Taiwan, there can be diverse views and positions on relations with China.
This is a nice primer. On the Taiwan issue, I think it's always worth mentioning the military significance of Taiwan: China is hemmed in by US bases all along its sea border (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines), and Taiwan is perhaps the place where it's most likely to be able to change that situation. The PRC has played the long game of economic and cultural assimilation quite happily with various border regions (Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong), and would probably be happy to wait Taiwan out if it were not for the problem of naval strategy.
(I was living here throughout the Chen Shui-bian terms, and the "worry" and "rhetoric" that are flying around are nothing new. You become a bit deadened to it after 20 years!)
Thanks, Dan. Keep up the good work. JMC
Very interesting, useful and well written article! I learned a lot. It seems that the writer has lived in Taiwan and mainland China, so through extensive experience and research, could gain balanced perspective.
I am also a foreigner, and have lived in Taiwan and China. Indeed, Taiwanese and Chinese people's views differ a lot, and there are even so many differences within Taiwanese, depending on whether they are 外省人, 本省人, or 原住民, also depending on thier jobs, status, and generation. But I think the important thing is at least in Taiwan, there can be diverse views and positions on relations with China.
I especially love your last section. Well-said