Anti-Secession Laws passed in China
(March 14 2005) In the latest news, China has passed the Anti-Secession Laws, preventing Taiwan from declaring itself an Independent State. What exactly does all of this mean?
Since the Communist took over China in 1949, Taiwan has existed in a quasi-state. During World War II, the island was occupied by the Japanese. It reverted back to Chinese rule at the end of the war and became a haven for the ousted Republic government and its followers.
While never officially recognized as a separate nation, Taiwan has experienced nearly a half-decade of relative freedom. The Taiwanese have followed a democratic government, even going so far as to elect its own President. It has grown in economic power on its own, outside of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
But the question has always lingered, is Taiwan a separate country? Even here in the United States, they have never been recognized as a separate state. The only Chinese government the USA has recognized is that of the PRC. Yet, US has been an active presence within the Taiwan Straits (the area between Taiwan and China). During the Cold War days, it was seen as a means to isolate the great Communist threat and keep it from spreading to other parts of Asian. Coming out of the Cold War, keeping peace in the area was seen as a means to assuring another great Pacific war did not occur. Because of this involvement, relations between China and US have always been somewhat strained.
The PRC have threatened to pass an anti-secession law for some time now. On Monday, March 14, 2005, it was officially passed by the parliament that runs mainland China. The vote was unanimous, with only two absentees.
The statements from the PRC have stated this is within their rights to do. The idea is to encourage harmonization between all the separate states of China and prevent Taiwan from breaking away. The PRC believes there is truly only one China, which has been broken apart since the end of World War II. It is about time the nation be reunited. The emphasis of this has become increasing important since Hong Kong officially reverted back to China several years ago.
A few of the news reels equate these laws to a similar set that prevented the South from seceding from the Republic during the Civil War in the United States.
Several Taiwanese, including those in the government, are no happy with this move. To them, it is an blank ticket for the PRC to walk in and enforce military control over their island. There is a fear there will be repeats of violence, such as that which was seen during 1947 and lead to the 228 Memorial. Or worse.
Taiwanese students have taken to the streets and are actively protesting the anti-secession laws by burning the PRC flag and demanding the world respond.
If drawn into a conflict between the two countries, the US would inevitably become part of the mix as the US has had a strong presence in the Taiwan Strait. With how unstable things have become in the Pacific in general, with Korea and other conflicts still continuing, there is a great deal of focus on what will happen next.
Voice your opinion on this in our Forums.
. Does China have a right to make such a law?
. Should China let Taiwan become its own independent state?
. Do you think this will lead to a stronger/harmonized China?
Since the Communist took over China in 1949, Taiwan has existed in a quasi-state. During World War II, the island was occupied by the Japanese. It reverted back to Chinese rule at the end of the war and became a haven for the ousted Republic government and its followers.
While never officially recognized as a separate nation, Taiwan has experienced nearly a half-decade of relative freedom. The Taiwanese have followed a democratic government, even going so far as to elect its own President. It has grown in economic power on its own, outside of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
But the question has always lingered, is Taiwan a separate country? Even here in the United States, they have never been recognized as a separate state. The only Chinese government the USA has recognized is that of the PRC. Yet, US has been an active presence within the Taiwan Straits (the area between Taiwan and China). During the Cold War days, it was seen as a means to isolate the great Communist threat and keep it from spreading to other parts of Asian. Coming out of the Cold War, keeping peace in the area was seen as a means to assuring another great Pacific war did not occur. Because of this involvement, relations between China and US have always been somewhat strained.
The PRC have threatened to pass an anti-secession law for some time now. On Monday, March 14, 2005, it was officially passed by the parliament that runs mainland China. The vote was unanimous, with only two absentees.
The statements from the PRC have stated this is within their rights to do. The idea is to encourage harmonization between all the separate states of China and prevent Taiwan from breaking away. The PRC believes there is truly only one China, which has been broken apart since the end of World War II. It is about time the nation be reunited. The emphasis of this has become increasing important since Hong Kong officially reverted back to China several years ago.
A few of the news reels equate these laws to a similar set that prevented the South from seceding from the Republic during the Civil War in the United States.
Several Taiwanese, including those in the government, are no happy with this move. To them, it is an blank ticket for the PRC to walk in and enforce military control over their island. There is a fear there will be repeats of violence, such as that which was seen during 1947 and lead to the 228 Memorial. Or worse.
Taiwanese students have taken to the streets and are actively protesting the anti-secession laws by burning the PRC flag and demanding the world respond.
If drawn into a conflict between the two countries, the US would inevitably become part of the mix as the US has had a strong presence in the Taiwan Strait. With how unstable things have become in the Pacific in general, with Korea and other conflicts still continuing, there is a great deal of focus on what will happen next.
Voice your opinion on this in our Forums.
. Does China have a right to make such a law?
. Should China let Taiwan become its own independent state?
. Do you think this will lead to a stronger/harmonized China?
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