Taiwan's Pro-Independence Parties Defeated

Sacramento Bee ^ | December 11, 2004 | William Foreman

[nosofar]

If Powell's statements a couple of months ago are any indication of Bush's view, Taiwan needs to be ready to defend itself without help. I'm not sure Bush sees any particular use for Taiwan except as a bargaining chip in exchange for favors from China regarding North Korea, sort of like 'land for peace' (and we know how well that works).

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Leave it to a modern (or is it post-modern?) 'editor' to let 'island as part of the mainland' get by. Some moron's got too much oxygen blowing through.

[wagglebee]

As a direct result of our imports, China has become an economic and industrial GIANT. As a result, we cannot "spend them into oblivion" the way we did with the Soviet Union. Our best hope is that the expansion of global communication, the internet and permissive travel allowed by the Chinese government will lead to an eventual change in China. They have obviously realized that capitalism is far superior to communism, and gradually they will hopefully see democracy triumph over totalitarianism.

IMHO North Korea is the real threat in the Pacific region, and I have a feeling that China is as uncomfortable with the North Koreans as the US is. The Chinese realize that war with the US would be a huge disaster for both countries. I think Bush's strategy at the moment is to allow China plenty of latitude in hopes that they will use their influence in the region to rein in North Korea.

[BJClinton]

Plus if NK is too difficult to control it mat convince Japan to join the nuclear club, if they haven't already.

[wagglebee]

I may be alone in this, but all of their talk of pacifism aside, I think Shintoism is still firmly entrenched in Japanese culture. I'm not real comfortable with the idea of Japan having nuclear weapons. I think MacArthur had the right idea when he prohibited Japan from building up their military for anything other than defensive purposes.

[Fishing-guy]

The only thing Bush/Powell expressed was the support for Republic of China (free China) and against Taiwan independence movement. Now, the people of Taiwan also agree with their support of ROC and status quo.

President Bush has repeatedly asked president Chen and his Taiwan independence movement to cool it with their rhetoric. Instead, they repeatedly stick it to Bush and turn up the anti-America rhetoric. They got what they deserved.

[BJClinton]

You'r not alone on that. But the fact remains a nation will try to defend itself and Japan is one of the biggest users of nuclear power. They could have relatively advanced weapons within a year.

[jb6]

Yup, we should be selling them nuke submarine and enough rockets to shower down on China and destroy their ports as soon as hostilities begin. But I guess Chinamart and company would be pissed off if we pissed China off and we just couldn't do that, now could we?

[SunkenCiv]

Taiwan is independent, and has been since the 1940s. Yet,

Both pledges angered Beijing, which views them as part of Chen's policy of "creeping independence."

in a related story, the US State Department finally stopped apologizing for China's behavior after President Bush held a press conference in which he burned the Shanghai Communique.

[wagglebee]

Have you ever talked to anybody than lived through some of Japan's "defensive" invasions 60 years ago? Japan's neighbors have become "cordial" with Japan out of economic necessity, but beneath the surface, they are terrified of the Japanese.

[BJClinton]

Who wouldn't be. What the Japanese did in China, korea and the Phillipines was every bit as inhumane as the Germans.

[BJClinton]

A related thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1299442/posts

[killjoy]

I may be alone in this, but all of their talk of pacifism aside, I think Shintoism is still firmly entrenched in Japanese culture.

Huh? What does Shinto have to do with this?

[wagglebee]

Have you ever noticed that there have been quite a few WW II movies and books where there is a German agent in the "hero" role ("The Eye of the Needle" for instance), you know they are the enemy, but there is still a sympathetic attachment to them. However, you will never see the Japanese portrayed this way. I fear that in fifty years, September 11th will have lost it's significance the same way December 7th seems to have lost it's.

[Austin Willard Wright]

The Japanese have been perfectly free since the early 1950s to change their constitution and build nuclear weapons but haven't done it. If anything, they are more resistant to the policies you fear than we are.

[BJClinton]

And, sadly, we'll let our guard down and there will be another Pearl Harbor or 911.

[Tai_Chung]

Taiwan's pro-independence parties suffered an upset defeat in legislative elections Saturday, a result sure to please Chinese leaders...

Probably had more to do with local issues than sending a message to China. President Chen is still taking flak for the alledged staging of an assination attempt on the eve of Presidential elections. That incident brought him enough public support to win reelection.

[wagglebee]

Shintoism is a militant religion that promotes worldwide Japanese domination.

[Glenn]

except as a bargaining chip in exchange for favors from China

We have a robust relationship with Taiwan. I think Bush is just not going to say or do anything to prompt a fight while we have so many resources dedicated to Iraq, et al.

[Mr.Clark]

Wouldn't be surpised if the Chinese were angling for some kind of military coup in NK.