China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the island's strong rejections.
Since current Vice President Lai Ching-te won the presidency in January - China views Lai as a separatist - Beijing has Snatched away a diplomatic ally, Altered an air route in the narrow Taiwan Strait, Begun regular coast guard patrols around the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, which hug the Chinese coast."It is a salami-slicing effort; they are slowly turning up the rheostat," he said, referring to a resistor used to control an electric current.
One foreign official tracking security matters in the region described what was happening as a "drip, drip" of pressure, keeping up the message that Beijing does not like Lai, but without holding war games - as it has twice around the island in the past year and a half - or forcing direct military confrontation.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Consider if another country claimed where you live as its territory; how would that affect your identity and your views on national sovereignty?
@9KFQT5F2mos2MO
it would make me mad that some other country can just claim were I live as there own
@9KFQNYJ2mos2MO
A foreign leader with different political views will take over, will be bad if a democracy
@9KFNX9PRepublican2mos2MO
I think that it would frighten people
I believe it's not right for one country to claim another established country as its own land. My identity would probably strengthen because I wouldn't want to be known as one of the people from the country that wrongfully claimed mine.
@AnxiousLardUnity2mos2MO
If China had wanted an easier path to unification with Taiwan, it could have embraced modest democratic reforms itself, and not abused the good people of Hong Kong, and the Tibetans, and the Uyghurs. As Maya Angelou said: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them."
Is there any wonder that the people of Taiwan look to China and say "no, thanks."?
@V0terQuokkaDemocrat2mos2MO
Exactly. In 1994 there seemed to be a movement toward a more open and free society in China. Hence the Taiwanese people were more open to reunification. But Xi and his more authoritarian streaks slammed that barely open door shut himself.
@AnxiousLardUnity2mos2MO
There is no such thing as peace when you are dealing with a power that is stronger than you and they don't think you should have freedom or exist independent of them. It's called coercion and force. Like you said, look at Hong Kong, Tibet and the Uyghurs and the constant shows of force that China has taken towards Taiwan. It's either they roll over and lose everything or they continue to assert their autonomy. You cannot make good deals with bad people, or have peace when the other party wants to do you harm.
@UniqueConservaRepublican2mos2MO
In 1994 there seemed to be a movement toward a more open and free society in China. Hence the Taiwanese people were more open to reunification. But Xi and his more authoritarian streaks slammed that barely open door shut himself.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Do you believe there are ever justifiable reasons for one country to threaten military action against another, especially in the case of disputed territories?
@9KFNCPY2mos2MO
i think people should not threaten each other unless provoked.
@9KFJS4CRepublican 2mos2MO
Threatening the military is a little scary for another country, and can lead to war.
@R3ferendumElandDemocrat2mos2MO
China is just like an abusive ex-husband trying to force their long suffering ex to be forced to remarry them. Same dynamics, and the same answer is being given: No, I'm free of you now, and I will never go back; time to move on now Jack our marriage is long over, and I never want you back.
@L3gislat1veApplesRepublican2mos2MO
Yes, but those kids in dad’s custody are not the ones with any power to make change, and dad wants to make the kids in mom’s custody miserable, too. He is also jealous and wants to destroy it.
The Taiwanese apparently do not want reunification. Given what’s happened in Hong Kong in recent years, can anyone blame them? Taiwan is a vibrant democracy. It’s people are free to say, write, and do as they please, to travel outside the country as they wish. Given Xi Jinping’s tightening grip on expression and mobility on the mainland — who am I, or you, or anyone to tell Taiwan to ‘reunify’?
@NarwhalEllaDemocrat2mos2MO
Xi should learn from Putin's mistake invading Ukraine. If Xi chooses war, that will be the end of China's economic miracle. Already many companies are moving manufacturing elsewhere.
The historical activity of users engaging with this general discussion.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
