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| Dire Strait - Taiwan |
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March 2005
The President of Taiwan's stubborn push for
independence has made him China's Public
Enemy Number One. But how likely are these
tensions to escalate into a military
conflict?
"The world cannot sit by idly to see an
undemocratic China remove the freedom,
democracy and rights of Taiwan's citizens,"
laments President Chen Shui-Bian. But despite
his best efforts, Taiwan's international
support is dwindling. Only 25 countries still
have diplomatic ties with it. Everyone else
recognises mainland China. And since Chen
came to power, China has stepped up its
rhetoric, making it clear it will attack if
it feels Taiwan is moving towards a formal
declaration of independence. "As everyone
knows, Taiwan is an inseparable part of the
Chinese territory," states one Chinese
commander. "The task of our military is to
defend the motherland and to ensure its
territorial integrity." President Chen's
problems are further compounded by the deep
political divides in Taiwan. Only half the
country considers him their legitimate
leader. The others believe he is a crook who
staged a mysterious shooting the day before
the elections, when he was trailing badly, to
boost his support. And much as the Taiwanese
tend to see themselves as a sovereign
country, few want to go to war over it. After
all, as one woman says, "Mainland China is so
big and we are so small."
Tags : journeyman pictures taiwan china dire straits independence |
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Affichage : 24015
Durée : 1415 s |
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