The Taiwan Conflict: Past, Significance, and Outlook

 

Summary of Article

Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, is a small island near China with a population of 24 million and a high per capita income.

Its history involves Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese rule. Taiwan's economic miracle began in the 1970s, focusing on technology and industry.

China claims Taiwan as its own, threatening military action if Taiwan seeks independence. Taiwan's president leans towards independence, straining relations with China.

The US supports Taiwan but doesn't officially recognize its independence due to China's influence. Only a few small countries recognize Taiwan as separate.

Taiwan's ruling party wants independence, while the opposition favors closer ties with China. The debate over Taiwan's future is crucial for regional stability.

Taiwan, the official name of which is Republic of China or Republic of China. It is a small region but it is becoming a major conflict between the two superpowers. China claims it as its part, while America wants to see it as independent. Both the countries have threatened each other with war over the issue of Taiwan. The question is why Taiwan is so important that two great powers have come face to face? Also, how much this claim is strong that Taiwan is a part of China? How many countries in the world recognize Taiwan as a separate country? In addition, in this article we will also know who is in favor of independence in Taiwan. Who only wants independence being with China.

Background

Taiwan is an island located at the junction of the East and South China Seas. Taiwan is only 150 km away from China. There are 167 islands under the control of Taiwan. The total area of ​​which is a little more than 36 thousand square kilometers. One of these large islands has an area of ​​more than 35,800 square kilometers. The remaining 166 islands are very small while the population of this region is around 24 million. Eighty percent of Taiwan's population lives in urban areas. It is one of the richest sovereign territories in the world where the per capita annual income is more than 35 thousand dollars.

In Taiwan, you will see progress everywhere, there is a mass transit system. Modern highways are here. Not only this, there is also a high-speed rail system to connect the cities. 96% of the people here belong to Han, the largest Chinese ethnic group in the world who came here from China.

Historical Facts

China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and has been encircling Taiwan for a long time. However, Taiwan wants to keep itself as a separate country. Which of these two claims seems more sustainable? For this we have to review the history of Taiwan. The early people here settled here in the 1st or 2nd century AD from today's China. Even after that, different ethnic groups from China continued to come and settle here from time to time. The region was first invaded by an outside power in 1624. When the Dutch East India Company from Holland established its possession here which lasted until 1661.

Then the Chinese Han tribe established their rule on it. While the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China, occupied Taiwan from 1683 to 1895. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Chinese territories came under the control of the Empire of Japan. Then the Japanese government was also established in Taiwan. In 1911, the Taiwanese people declared their government here and called it the the Republic of China. When Japan was defeated in World War II, it evacuated all occupied territories including Taiwan.

China also established a government in Taiwan with the consent of its allies, the United States and Great Britain. See the irony of history that today the same former allies of China are telling it to recognize the independent status of Taiwan. Shortly after World War II, a civil war broke out in China. Chinese military chief General Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan after the defeat of Mao Zedong's communist forces. Where General Chiang Kai-shek, who was declared a rebel after the Chinese Revolution, established his government with the help of supporters. Today, the status of Taiwan is still controversial.

Taiwan was ruled by Chiang Kai-shek until 1975. Chiang meanwhile imposed martial law in Taiwan, which lasted until 1986. His government is called the "Kumantang" or KMT. After Chiang's death, his son Chiang Ching Kuo took over the government. After 10 years of taking power he decided to remove Taiwan from the dictatorial regime and make it a republic as the name suggests. The first election was held here in 2000. Taiwan had many years of authoritarian rule. But these were the days when Taiwan made amazing progress that is considered a miracle in the world.

Taiwan’s Development

Taiwan's development miracle, also called Taiwan Economic Miracle. This is the period when Taiwan achieved such a rise that the major powers were stunned. This journey of development started from 1971 when the today's China was declared the original representative in the United Nations instead of Taiwan. Taiwan decided to make this deprivation its success. Before that, since 1949, the Republic of China i.e. Taiwan was the only member of the United Nations Security Council. And many western countries also recognized the same status. However, the importance of Taiwan decreased when it was recognized as the People's Republic of China. The number of countries that recognized Taiwan as a separate country was reduced to only 13.

In this situation, the government of first Chiang Kai-shek and then his son Laid the foundation for the journey to develop Taiwan. Industrialization was promoted in Taiwan and special development was made on technology. This included the wide range of manufacturing of microelectronics, microchips, computers and computer related accessories. Its capital was built at Taipei, which today remains a symbol of its development. Brands here include HON HAI industry TSM i.e. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ACER, ASUS and Pegatron. Special attention was also given to the textile industry. Taiwan industrialization increased and democracy was promoted in Taiwan. Workers were allowed to form unions.

In the 1980s, Taiwan emerged as an economic superpower. The glimpse of which was seen not only in America but also in China. In 1950, Taiwan's per capita income was only $170 a year which is more than developing countries like Japan and Italy today. Here, when people got opportunities to earn, they did it day and night. Even women were seen working alongside men. As soon as Taiwanese companies were allowed to invest in China in the 90s. They started investing in big projects. At this time, according to an estimate, this investment has exceeded 60 billion dollars. Taiwan is unique in manufacturing LCDs and LED lights Laptops, computers, related accessories. Semi-conductors manufacturing Taiwanese companies have unique position in the world.

Semiconductors are an essential component of electronic devices. They are used integrally in communication devices, computer computing, health machinery, military communication systems, energy, and countless other applications. According to a report, more than 65% of the world's semiconductors are made in Taiwan alone. While its share in making microchips is 90%.

China has made several attempts to end Taiwan's monopoly in these sectors. But they have not been very successful. According to another report, Taiwan last year exported machinery and electronic products worth 25 billion dollars to China, 16 billion dollars to Japan and 10 billion dollars to the United States. This is Taiwan's greatest strength that makes it important to the world's economic superpowers.

China and America’s Policy about Taiwan:

A large number of people in Taiwan support independence. But the majority want some kind of lasting solution to the issue. They want full independence for Taiwan, this is enough for them. China passed a law in 2004 that threatened military action against Taiwan if it tried to secede. This is the law, which is considered the most dangerous in Taiwan. Tsai Ing Wen, who has held the post of president since 2016 also leans towards formal independence. He also called Donald Trump after his victory on December 2, 2016 and congratulated him. This was Taiwan's first official contact with the United States since 1979. Surprisingly, despite the US not having formal relations from 1979 to 2016 had agreements to supply defense weapons to Taiwan which was China's greatest concern.

China adopted an aggressive policy and warned all global companies in 2018 that if any company showed Taiwan on its map as separate from China, it would end business relations with it. In 2020, when there were protests against growing Chinese influence in Hong Kong. Taiwan President Sui Eng-wen increased contacts with US President Donald Trump. United States not only supported the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. But also allegedly played a role in igniting the fire of fighting which intensified the war of words between America and China. The US sent a foreign ministry official to Taiwan on a special visit in 2022, which China called a major interference in its internal affairs. Meanwhile, US military exercises in the sea near Taiwan added fuel to the fire.

Like China, America's financial interests are also linked to Taiwan. It doesn't want to let China gain regional influence under any circumstances. Experts believe that the China-Taiwan dispute may lead to a world war. Taiwan is not a weak region due to defense relations with the US. It not only have its own regular army, but its military capability is also considered among the 20 best armies in the world. According to an investigative report by US, today the number of Taiwanese soldiers is more than 1.8 million which includes both active and reserve military.

Taiwan spends 13 billion dollars annually on its defence expenditure which is more than the defence budget of Pakistan. Pakistan spends around 12 billion dollars on defence. Taiwan also has around 300 fighter jets and 4 submarines. Reports even claim that Taiwan has more than 400 warships. Including F-16 and Mirage aircraft. Taiwan signed an agreement to buy 66 F16 aircraft from America 3 years ago which the American government has also approved. China had serious reservations at this deal.

The United States is the biggest supporter of Taiwan's independence. But it has not yet officially recognized its independence from China. Rather, US accepted one China policy in a joint declaration in 1972 after negotiations to restore relations with China. It was declared that Taiwan is part of China. Pakistan played an important role in bringing the United States and China closer to these negotiations.

In view of China's growing power on the world stage no major country is ready to recognize Taiwan as a separate country. At that time, only three countries recognized Taiwan as a separate country. Most of them are small countries in Africa and North America.

Pakistan after 1950 and India after 1949 did not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jin Ping has clearly announced that he will continue to integrate Taiwan into his country and someone who tried to be an obstacle in the way of China's policy will be affected badly. On the other hand, the problems which separatists are facing, the biggest of which is that in the last few years, the number of people who came to China from Taiwan has exceeded to one million.

Officially, Taiwan's ruling party, DPP, wants independence from China. But when this party was formed in 1986, it was clearly not a supporter of freedom. Rather, it continued to follow a policy of taking a moderate path. Then this party came out with the slogan of Free Taiwan and it won for the first time in the presidential election of 2000. On the other hand, his opponent and former dictator Chiang Kai-shek's party, KMT, which until yesterday was ready to die fighting for independence from China. Today is in favor of reunification and annexation with China.

Taiwan should become a separate country or it is better for it to stay with China. Be sure to write us in comments and also follow blog to read more articles like this. Thanks!