The Republic of China, or Taiwan, is an island nation located 110 miles off of the coast of mainland china. Taiwan was officially established in January, 1912. However, Chinese migration to Taiwan has occurred since 500 C.E.(1) The Chinese government held Taiwan beginning in 1664(1) and officially annexed Taiwan to the Fujian Province in 1683. After the first Sino-Japanese war ended in 1895, China gave Taiwan to Japan instead of giving up Manchuria(1). While under Japanese rule,
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Guiding Question: What factors define the relationship in China's foreign policy to Taiwan Today?
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Taiwan’s economic infrastructure and education system developed to the point where Taiwanese students were more educated than Chinese students which became a point of tension between the two nations(1). After World War Two, China regained control of the island.
In 1949 after the Chinese Civil War, over one million Chinese refugees fled to the island in search of freedom from political persecution(1). Previously, arguments between the two nations have been about which government is legitimate, the Republic of China in Taiwan, or the communist People's Republic of China on the mainland, have been on the center stage of foreign policy between the two states, however, this conflict does not constitute the majority of policy today. Today, this conflict of power struggle surrounds the notion whether Taiwan is a part of mainland China or is a sovereign nation.
Throughout history, foreign policy between China and Taiwan has been a subject of discussion Globally, China is taking a new approach to its foreign policy, and is now being viewed as having all of the aspects of a world power(2). This new approach includes a new economic model, which requires new markets and privileged access to resources(2), which can only be acquired with a good relationship with Taiwan. China’s new image is very fragile and it cannot afford to offend its neighbors or allies, China is trying to hide its strength from the rest of the globe(3). Due to this, China cannot take actions that it would like, to increase China’s sphere of influence. The reluctance to use power by China allows us to expect to see Chinese foreign policy verge from being at times assertive and proactive; to in other situations being ambiguous and non-confrontational.(2)
In 1949 after the Chinese Civil War, over one million Chinese refugees fled to the island in search of freedom from political persecution(1). Previously, arguments between the two nations have been about which government is legitimate, the Republic of China in Taiwan, or the communist People's Republic of China on the mainland, have been on the center stage of foreign policy between the two states, however, this conflict does not constitute the majority of policy today. Today, this conflict of power struggle surrounds the notion whether Taiwan is a part of mainland China or is a sovereign nation.
Throughout history, foreign policy between China and Taiwan has been a subject of discussion Globally, China is taking a new approach to its foreign policy, and is now being viewed as having all of the aspects of a world power(2). This new approach includes a new economic model, which requires new markets and privileged access to resources(2), which can only be acquired with a good relationship with Taiwan. China’s new image is very fragile and it cannot afford to offend its neighbors or allies, China is trying to hide its strength from the rest of the globe(3). Due to this, China cannot take actions that it would like, to increase China’s sphere of influence. The reluctance to use power by China allows us to expect to see Chinese foreign policy verge from being at times assertive and proactive; to in other situations being ambiguous and non-confrontational.(2)
Today, the issues surrounding the foreign policy of China and Taiwan are around whether or not Taiwan is a part of mainland China. Pro-independence movements have began to become more common in Taiwan with the election of the Kuomintang party(3).Due to China's limited political abilities it has set for itself,
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China has the very real possibility that it could bite off more than it can chew with Taiwan. With the upcoming elections in Taiwan, China’s president Xi Jinping warns that tensions will rise again if an “pro-independence” candidate is elected.(3) This is based off of if the new leadership in Taipei ,"fails to make a clear commitment to the notion that there is only one China."This would upset not only the seven years that China has had calm relations with Taiwan but Chinese relations with nations across the globe(3).
Vocabulary:
Independence: noun, the fact or state of being independent from another nation.
Economic Model: noun, a set of laws or a plan that defines the distribution of wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services.
Chinese Civil War: April 1927 – May 1950, The Chinese Civil War was a civil war in China fought between forces loyal to the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China, and forces loyal to the Communist Party of China.
Sphere of Influence: noun, a country or area in which another country has power to affect developments although it has no formal authority.
Power Struggle: noun, people in a relationship fighting about who is in control, with both trying to dominate the relationship in one way or another.
Vocabulary:
Independence: noun, the fact or state of being independent from another nation.
Economic Model: noun, a set of laws or a plan that defines the distribution of wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services.
Chinese Civil War: April 1927 – May 1950, The Chinese Civil War was a civil war in China fought between forces loyal to the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China, and forces loyal to the Communist Party of China.
Sphere of Influence: noun, a country or area in which another country has power to affect developments although it has no formal authority.
Power Struggle: noun, people in a relationship fighting about who is in control, with both trying to dominate the relationship in one way or another.