Will Taiwan become a nation? Ever?

Question

I know that China (PRC) claims that Taiwan is theirs. Also, I know that Taiwan likes to call itself "The Republic of China" but China does not want this because of the "One China Policy". In the Olympics, Asian Games, etc. do you notice that Taiwan is designated as "Chinese Taipei"? Why won't China allow the use of "Taiwan"? Is there really a possibility that Taiwan will become independent?

And, allow me to add another question:
Why is Singapore so strict? I mean, I understand that they want to keep their country clean, but why the strict rules, like banning chewing gum?

I've got very great answers here; I don't know what to pick as best answer

Answer 1

Taiwan IS an independent country with its own government and president. Check out the bottom of the Yahoo Answers page. There is a section with the Taiwanese flag and a separate one for the PRC. Ever hear of any Chinese provinces having their own flags and governments? Exactly.

Taiwan needs to renounce its alleged claim to rule the mainland and be happy with the prospect of independence. The are NOT the Republic of China. This is a holdover from the KMT rule of yesteryear.

The Chinese Communists claim it since they (like the Soviets before them) are imperialists and would like to expand their territory. Should Beijing's ruling party fall, Taipei will have a better chance at independence. That's unlikley now and the PRC is building up military forces to obliterate Taiwan should they move towards independence from Communist rule. Most countries (and the UN) favor the PRC and Beijing since it's more lucrative to trade with them. The Beijing leaders often pay out huge sums of cash for countries to pledge their allegiance to the Communist leaders.

Nobody knows how it will turn out. It's a waiting game. :(

Singapore is an authoritarian government. By nature, these governments force their rule on the masses thru strict measures, not unlike the PRC. It's different than the democracy you may be used to, where people can decide the laws.

Answer 2

Q: Why won't China allow the use of "Taiwan"?
A: In allowing it to use the term "Taiwan", China would be politically viewed as recognizing the legitimacy of an independent "Taiwan" nation. Given China's stance of the One China policy, this would not have been possible at all.

Q: Is there really a possibility that Taiwan will become independent?
A: Anything is possible. There is a 50/50 chance of it going to any of the extreme ends. For Taiwan to gain independence from China, it could possibly be achieved through humilty and endless streams of dialogues and political give & take by both sides. On the extreme end, both sides of the China striats could end up in sending missiles at each other and ultimately, one will win the battle but both are losers in reality.

Q: Why is Singapore so strict? I mean, I understand that they want to keep their country clean, but why the strict rules, like banning chewing gum?
A: I guess the Singaporean government had its own rationale to do so then, and obviously it believed that it was right in doing so. I guess that might have in some little ways, contributed to the "cleanliness" of the Singapore state. However, I believe that the Singapore government had recently loosened the ruling on sale of chewing gum(correct me if I am incorrect), which I presume it believes the time is right to allow some flexibility in its previous 'strict' ruling. If this this true, then I believe the Singapore government does keep up with times and the needs of its people. Even though I do not advocate the banning of chewing gum, but as a visitor to Singapore, I respect the laws of any country when I am a guest in that country.

Answer 3

Well if you look on a map, China is Huge, and Taiwan is small, so obviously they can't successfully defend themselves militarily if China wants a full blown war.... Only Japan and the USA and Korea allied would be able to stop them, and they are trying to avert a war while still keeping a tough stance, -
towards both sides......
Why doesn't Taiwan declare independence? Well if you look on a map.....China is...

As for Singapore. We all love Singapore, and respect all her rules... I mean they ban cars and motorcycles in some parts of the city, and you can actually cross the street without being in a traffic accident and having exhaust blown in your face everyday...
As for Singapore's rules about not smoking or chewing gum? More power to them! Admit it, those are annoyances!
It is high time we can live somewhere away from all those annoyances, especially the traffic exhaust...
It used to be worse, where Singapore enforced short hair on men, but they've since relaxed that... I don't like their drug laws and wish they could relax those, too, so they can be like Amsterdam, but we'll just have to fight for that in the future, and maybe win it... To make an omelet you have to break some eggs... Taiwan doesn't have any Singapore style rules whatsoever and the Traffic accident statistics are of Biblical proportion, and there is chewing gum and betel nut all over the sidewalks... I wish I were in Singapore.....

Answer 4

I disagree with EauSauvage. I am a Taiwanese, but am I a chinese? Yes, I do think so. We share the same language, culture, writing. only politically I am not a chinese. Taiwan is an independent country, the republic of China does not belong to PRC.

There's a fact which many foreigners don't know. The ROC was established in Sun Yat San in 1911 after the Qing abdicated and has been china's official goverment. when japan surrendered, taiwan was given back to china( given to japen in 1895 cause Qing lost the war to japan) according to the meeting in Cairo. In 1949, communistes overtook mainland china and the ROC goverment moved its capital from Nanjing to Taipei.

So, why wouldn't china let Taiwan use Taiwan as its name? Cause they don't want the Taiwanese to feel like they are an independent state, but ROC is one and so is Taiwan.

Answer 5

Actually, Taiwan is an independent nation. It is a legitimate democracy. It has been politically and economically independent from China since the revolution. If considered part of China, it is the first democratic state in the 6,000 year history of China.

Countries, starting with the USA, severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan because of Chinese economic clout. Money is more important than friends, right? The rest of the world followed.

Without support from the international community and the United Nations, Taiwan will never be recognized as an independent country.

Answer 6

China is a republic already. (People's REPUBLIC of China). I think what you're really asking is will China ever achieve a more western style of democratic-republican government, complete with civil rights and civil liberties. The answer is "YES." Actually (and oddly enough) the reason is because of something said by Karl Marx. Marx said that a nation's government must reflect its economy. Thus, if you have a socialist/communist economy, it can only work with a socialist/communist government. Marx was very clear, the economy determines the government. For more than 20 years now, the Chinese have liberalized the economy, allowing more and more private enterprise and private capital to be accumulated. As more and more money is controlled by private interests, it is only a matter of time before that economic power demands political respect. Indeed, it's already happening. At the Communist Party Congress three years ago, old style communist hardliners were horrified by the government's decision to allow business-people into the Communist Party. The hard-liners argued that the idea of communiusm itself is anti-private enterprise (and pro-socialism). They further argued that if capitalists are allowed into the party it's like destroying the very thing the party stands for. Of course, their argument is technically correct. But it underscores my point that with economic power comes the desire for political power. And since economic reforms in China are too far along to halt, it means that totalitarianism in China is doomed in the long run.

Answer 7

I'm a Singaporean and have been living here since the start of my life. Its a nice country by its standards, and it is the rules that made it this way. From what I do know, our government only bans the import of chewing gum. They are definitely not that strict that they would pay people to watch the public put gum into their mouth just give them a fine.

Its alright to chew gum in Singapore, just don't get caught smuggling it in. (I chew them all the time in class) But if you do manage to bring some in, Please do follow the rules about keeping my country clean. Chewed gum belongs to the trash bins.

Thanks! =)

Answer 8

Taiwan may become a nation once the people of Taiwan do something to change their status. They can achieve this through negotiations or through armed struggle. That is how most other nations achieved their status as independent nations. Currently, Taiwan is ruled by a government that does neither, and is sorely lacking in the understanding of international law.

Thanks for your thumbs down, "winners."
Overseas E is the only one here who knows what he is talking about.

Through the use of strict laws Singapore IS able to "keep their country clean." Why change it if it works?

Answer 9

I wish Taiwan would never become a part of China. Erm, chewing gums are banned in Singapore because people stuck chewing gums everywhere after they chewed it, posing several problems. The Singapore government spent a long time and a lot of effort to clean them up and so they are banned.

Answer 10

The 2 China's go back to the Chinese Revolution of 1949.

The Nationalist Party was defeated and they retreated to the island of Taiwan; they took over that government and replaced it with their own and created the Republic of China.

They have a very large standing army, air force and navy with nuclear capability. They are close allies with Israel which has provided them with a lot of military power. The U.S. provided them with a lot of military power and financial backing.

Taiwan, ROC is independent; their view is that one day Communism will fall and they will reclaim the Chinese Mainland. The Communists view Taiwan, ROC as a rebel state.