Protestors attack U.S. Embassy in Serbia

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

People need to understand one of the primary reasons the US and Britain supported Kosovo independence is because the majority of Kosovars are Muslims. Moderate Muslims perhaps, but still Muslims none the less. The thinking behind this move is that; a) it further advances democracy in a Muslim country b) it may help foster stronger ties between the West and other Muslim countries, via being perceived as standing up for the Kosovars right of self determination. Of course on the other side of the coin; one could argue that helping the Kosovars in 1999, through NATO, didn't stop Al Qaeda from lunching the 9/11 attacks. On both sides, there is much food for thought here.

[wyq614]

Still the majority of Taiwanese would prefer to be their own nation. The main reason fueling this desire is the one thing you neglected to mention; Taiwan and China have completely different forms of national government which are, if not totally incompatible, than at least nearly so.

Well, the difference of the form of the government would remain even if mainland and Taiwan do unite. We have promised that we won't impose our socialism on Taiwan. Our government has stated that if mainland and Taiwan do unite the Taiwan will be a Special Administrative Region that could maintain its democracy, capitalist economy even its armed forces. (as Deng Xiaoping said in 1980s)

Anyway I bet that China will NEVER tolerate Taiwan Independence. Chinese army are now ready to conquer, and if China holds a referendum to decide if we should fight to solve the Taiwan problem immediately, then I guess nearly 40% will vote "yes", and as time passes by, the "yes" ratio will be higher and higher.

Go back to Kosovo, I repeat my personal support to the independence of Kosovo.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

I do think eventually Taiwan will be reincorporated into China, it is inevitable. Now if that is a good thing or not, well I’ll leave that up to you guys to decide.

[Cryomaniac]

I do think eventually Taiwan will be reincorporated into China, it is inevitable. Now if that is a good thing or not, well I’ll leave that up to you guys to decide.

It depends a lot on how it's "reincorporated"...

[wyq614]

I do think eventually Taiwan will be reincorporated into China, it is inevitable. Now if that is a good thing or not, well I’ll leave that up to you guys to decide.

It depends a lot on how it's "reincorporated"...

We do expect a peaceful way, but a war is also possible.

[Cryomaniac]

We do expect a peaceful way, but a war is also possible.

Both of those pose problems. A peaceful way would need a pro-China government of Taiwan, which doesn't look like happening soon, and the USA have said they'd defend Taiwan from the Chinese, and no-one wants a war between China and the US.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

We do expect a peaceful way, but a war is also possible.

Both of those pose problems. A peaceful way would need a pro-China government of Taiwan, which doesn't look like happening soon, and the USA have said they'd defend Taiwan from the Chinese, and no-one wants a war between China and the US.

Well I'm talking long long term here; say in a century, or two. When the US could be in a much weaker position and China in a much stronger one.

[wyq614]

We do expect a peaceful way, but a war is also possible.

Both of those pose problems. A peaceful way would need a pro-China government of Taiwan, which doesn't look like happening soon, and the USA have said they'd defend Taiwan from the Chinese, and no-one wants a war between China and the US.

But recently US said that it doesn't have any obligations to defend Taiwan.