[rellic]

I fail to understand why China has such a “Hard on” for Taiwan. Perhaps someone can explain it
to all of us?

[mbrfl]

Taiwan is a thorn in the side of the CCP. A prosperous nation of ethnic Chinese that doesn’t answer to them is a blow to their delusions of grandeur. Beyond that, it undermines them domestically and on the world stage. If their own people see a prosperous Taiwan whose standard of living and freedoms exceed their own, that exposes the CCP’s supremacist propaganda for what it is. And on the world stage, an independent Taiwan weakens their attempts to project an image of military dominance. If they’re unable to defeat a government who they themselves claim is illegitimate, what does that say about their military capabilities?

[srmanuel]

The USA had a Civil War that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people when a number of states left the Union to form a new country.

China views Taiwan as part of greater China, just like we view Hawaii and Alaska as part of the USA, we would not tolerate either one leaving the Union and would resent any foreign country militarily supporting them breaking away, rightly or wrongly, China feels the same way.

[ealgeone]

They hire it as part of China. And as long as it’s not it’s an arrow pointed at them. And with Taiwan they’re have a clear path to the Pacific.

[2CAVTrooper]

“I fail to understand why China has such a “Hard on” for Taiwan. Perhaps someone can explain it
to all of us?”

Because Taiwan represents the one and only legitimate government of China.

[Grzegorz 246]

Taiwan was founded by anti-commie Chinese - they lost a civil war against commies in late 40’s and escaped to that island. Taiwan's name is actually The Republic of China and their authorities claim to be the real government of China or at least claimed, before reds became so powerful.