NationStates Jolt Archive

Taiwan is set to have a Referendum over whether or not to join the UN under the name "Taiwan"

China has warned that Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's government will pay a "dear price" if he continues moves towards independence for the island.

Jiang Enzhu, a parliament spokesman, said Beijing would "repulse" any pro-independence activities.

In a few weeks, Taiwan is due to hold a referendum on whether to apply to join the UN under the name Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan as part of its territory but the island has functioned independently for nearly 60 years.

Mr Jiang made the tough comments on Taiwan at a press conference outlining details for China's forthcoming legislative session.

"The attempts by the Chen Shui-bian authorities to push for a referendum on joining the UN under the name Taiwan is a... move towards 'de jure' independence for Taiwan," he said.

"If the Chen Shui-bian authorities should stubbornly continue down the path, they will surely pay a dear price."

Map showing Taiwan and China
He added that the referendum was tantamount to a referendum on Taiwanese independence.

Mr Jiang said China would pursue peaceful reunification between the two, but warned that there were other options available.

"We are fully prepared to repulse any adventurous activities aimed at Taiwan independence, and prevent anyone from separating Taiwan from China," he said.

China has previously threatened to attack the island - formally, and confusingly, known as the Republic of China - if it declares independence.

Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949, when the two sides split following a civil war in China.

But most countries officially recognise China's territorial claims over the island.

As well as holding a referendum later this month, Taiwan will also hold a presidential election.

The current president, independence-leaning Chen Shui-bian, will step down after eight years in office.


So Taiwanese Independence...Good? Bad?
And what exactly would China mean by "a dear price"?

Poll Ahoy

EDIT:

Forgot Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7276378.stm)

they've been acting independant for a long time now- it would be a shame to have a war start over titles and words.

I hope they can keep communication open and resolve ammicably.

It would be terrible to draw in other countries-any skirmish nowcould rapidly escalate into a full blown war.

Nonsense. If the Taiwanese government had any sense, they'd keep thier heads down and preserve the status quo.

why doesn't China grow some balls and shut up, and allow them independance?
what they need is nuclear weapons to back their words with power, then the Chinese can do nothing but allow them their independance.

Taiwan should wait till the day after the Opening ceremonies to declare independence. China would not be able to do anything.

I dont know if I like the idea of increasing pressure on China like that- they apparently feel "losing" Taiwan is a very high stake as it is.

You have to leave them a back door that allows them to save face.

Nonsense. If the Taiwanese government had any sense, they'd keep thier heads down and preserve the status quo.

Taiwan should wait till the day after the Opening ceremonies to declare independence. China would not be able to do anything.

Taiwan should wait till the day after the Opening ceremonies to declare independence. China would not be able to do anything.

Pardon me, but that is utter idiocy. Taiwan already enjoys political, social and economic independence de facto under the status quo.

Antagonising China for the sake of politician's egotism will do nothing but bring detriment to the Taiwanese people, and spark up international crisis for the sake of titles, names and flags.

Pardon me, but that is utter idiocy. Taiwan already enjoys political, social and economic independence de facto under the status quo.

Antagonising China for the sake of politician's egotism will do nothing but bring detriment to the Taiwanese people, and spark up international crisis for the sake of titles, names and flags.

If Taiwan declares independence in August while the games are going on in Beijing, Beijing will not be able to do anything militarily for using force while the Olympics are going on is going to have a very very bad effect on the Chinese.

If Taiwan declares independence in August while the games are going on in Beijing, Beijing will not be able to do anything militarily for using force while the Olympics are going on is going to have a very very bad effect on the Chinese.

Who cares if they don't immediately bomb Taiwan into the ground while the games are going on. A declaration of independence by Taiwan is completely unnecessary, and would only serve to strain Chinese relations to the absolute limit.

The UN has also repealed thier application for membership many times before, and will do so again, even if this referendum yields a favourable majority, which I doubt. The Taiwanese people consistently are in favour of thier de facto position when polled.


Taiwan Poll Data 1994-2006 (http://zonaeuropa.com/20061204_2.htm)

If Taiwan is smart, they'll just keep governing themselves and let China keep their delusions that Taiwan is their property. Last thing we need is a war.

Who cares if they don't immediately bomb Taiwan into the ground while the games are going on. A declaration of independence by Taiwan is completely unnecessary, and would only serve to strain Chinese relations to the absolute limit.

Maybe but if they are already de facto, they might as well be totally independent.

The UN has also repealed thier application for membership many times before, and will do so again, even if this referendum yields a favourable majority, which I doubt. The Taiwanese people consistently are in favour of thier de facto position when polled.

And what say you if the majority of the people of Taiwan support said referendum? Not like it matters, China would veto their membership anways. Its so nice to see that the Permanent members of the UNSC can veto memberships of nations that deserve to be in the UN.

Taiwan has valid reasons for self-government. It's tired of the big ugly bully to its West and was created as a result of the current government in China. If the Sinos want to go around attacking sovereign countries, I smell a shitfest.