Will China's rise trigger Sino-US confrontation?

People Daily ^ | 12.26.03

[dwd1]

Chang Kai Shek, National vs Communist, moving of Nationalist to Formosa (now Taiwan) in 1949... I believe Formosa or Taiwan was a province of China...

[Dr. Marten]

"I believe Formosa or Taiwan was a province of China..."

Not at that time.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

CHina has never made bones about wanting to rule the world.

Really?

Based on what I've seen, I think their ambitions tend more toward economic empire than military empire....at least for now. There comes a point where economic strength can be just as potent as military strength, when one country gets enough of a share of another country's business that they can easily cripple the other country's economy if they wish.

[tallhappy]

And unlike Saddam Hussein, they do have a historical claim to Formosa (Taiwan)...

No.

None at all.

[dwd1]

http://drakenfels.tripod.com/taiwan.html

Source of the my misunderstanding

[Dr. Marten]

"1945 - October 25, control of Taiwan given to the Kuomintang"

This is a very light timeline of events with little detail to those events. In fact, if it were as simple as this timeline, there would be no discrepencies within the international community with regards to Taiwan's fate.

By viewing the source you provided, one could also argue by the "facts" presented by this source in its own wording that in fact control of the Taiwan Island was given to the Kuomingtang, not the Communists. The Kuomingtang was the rightful government of China at that time and if in fact they were provided with the control of Taiwan, then they are still rightfully exercising that control.

[Dr. Marten]

"There comes a point where economic strength can be just as potent as military strength, when one country gets enough of a share of another country's business that they can easily cripple the other country's economy if they wish."

A perfect textbook example from the Art of War.

[dwd1]

I have heard that the major issue here is about who gave what to who and does it have the support of law...

And I agree about the lack of detail...

However, it will continue to be a source of misunderstanding between the two for quite some time. I hope they can resolve it peacefully...

I would not take money to be in Taiwan or Hong Kong right now... Not until they get some sort of roadmap to resolution... It is my understanding that Asian Politics is a place where ego and national pride are very critical and has to be considered. Compromise or a win-win scenario is not an easy thing to achieve...

[dwd1]

There was a movie with Wesley Snipes, Michael Biehn, Donald Sutherland and others where that very idea was explored...

[Little Ray]

Ya mean we're not confrontin' 'em already?

[Dr. Marten]

Ping!

(RE: Taiwanese president signs historic referendum)

See comments above to dwdl

[Doc On The Bay]

Part of Our "Problem With" China MAY BE that "Chinese Experts" in "American Culture" are HOPELESSLY OUTDATED!!

Neither Current Americans--Nor Current Chinese--are TOTALLY AWARE of each other's Culture.

BOTH cultures have "Progressed" FAR BEYOND our Privious "Steriotypes!"

& SO IT IS!!

Doc

[Quix]

True.

But I don't think even Mao Tse Dung/Teng really had a full grasp of China. It's so vast and so complex. He may have for a brief period of time. But only when the masses were more or less of one mind in behalf of THE REVOLUTION. I don't think that lasted long. And, as he told Julie Nixon Eisenhower . . . he was only able to change things a bit just in Beijing for a while.

And for that 30,000,000+ died.

[clamper1797]

Bet on it