The Conflict Between Taiwan and China: An Historical Analysis

In 1949, Chiang Kai-Shek withdrew with two million followers to the island of Taiwan. Ever since then, mainland China has wanted Taiwan back and the support of its people. The majority of the world views Chinese people and Taiwanese as the same identity. But to Taiwanese, this is a stereotype that not only demeans their identity, but also their heritage. Taiwanese are proud by standards because of their de facto independence from communist China.

This conflict pervades the global community from the Far East, all the way around the globe to the West. Everyone walks a fine line towards alliances as many legal binding allegiances twist its way through every country tied to China and Taiwan. The U.S. for example, is bound to help Taiwan in times of distress through the Taiwan Relations Act that was made decades ago. But on the other hand, the U.S. wants to maintain its support for China because of its international role of an emerging superpower. If conflict ever sprouts up between Taiwan and China, the U.S. will be torn between which country to help, and once the U.S. is drawn into the conflict, other countries will also be drawn into the conflict because of age old allegiances to help during times of conflict.

So what are potential solutions to this ongoing and impending conflict? First of all, bring awareness to the issue. By spreading the knowledge throughout the public, people will know more and thus be less stereotypical about the issue. By providing the public with the views of two perspectives, people might start supporting Taiwan in their fight for independence. And from there, the support might work itself up the upper hierarchies of politics, eventually concluding in the official independence of Taiwan.

In support of Taiwan, there are many examples in history why de facto independent countries like Taiwan should gain their independence. Take Norway and Iceland for example, which gained their independence and have made huge advances in their economy, paving the way to the top ten richest countries in the world. Taiwan should have the same privileges as these countries, and perhaps it can make even more progress without this conflict hindering its economy and politics.

Due to the generation gap though, the situation may gradually solve itself without any drastic measures being taken. The new generation and old generation Taiwanese differ in their views, as the new generation has not felt the grudge that their parents feel towards China. The new generation only lives on their pride because their parents have instilled in them from birth the pride that they need to portray to represent Taiwan. But because both generations view the situation differently, the new generation has the perspectives and ability to change the old generation's view on the subject matter, and may perhaps change both countries' views on each other, and solve both the stereotypical subject matter, and lead to peace between both countries.

"What other European Countries have gained their independence?," SNP.org

"Taiwan Relations Act," US Department of State