I have to say, Taiwan is a relative blindspot for me. Don't really know much about its history and the present day foreign policy implications. All I know is that I see plenty of people, both liberals and conservatives, lamenting over what China might or might not do.

Can someone please provide a brief rundown of what's happening? What's the relevant history? What's going on in the present? What exactly is their relationship with China?

  • DeathToBritain [she/her, they/them]
    ·
    3 years ago

    yeah it's more nuanced than just the KMT's line, but outwardly they still do officially claim to be the legitimate government of China and were recognised as so until the thaw of PRC relations with much of the west in the 70s. the line of them being an independent country is much like Hong Kong though in that they want to be independent to be an outpost of imperialism and to contain China. they are a part of China and an illegitimate government held up by imperialists

      • DeathToBritain [she/her, they/them]
        ·
        3 years ago

        I don't think the PRC wants to invade. for one, it's obviously a really bad look and they do pride themselves on not having been at war for a long time unlike America. it would also be very violent and nobody wants that. eventually Taiwan is gonna capitulate to the mainland imo, the benefits outweigh the weakening US empire being there. Taiwan built itself up off of finance, an industry that is collapsing more and more, where the mainland has actual industrial and state capacity to do things