[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[JohnnyZ]

..... and Lien Chan immediately went further down the road of reunification with communist China on the PRC's terms.

[Unam Sanctam]

Sanmin zhuyi jiu neng tongyi Zhongguo!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

As a direct result of our imports, China has become an economic and industrial GIANT.

Yep, and it doesn't help that Klinton signed sweetheart deals with China to our (and a lot of other countries') detriment. Klinton didn't care what he was agreeing to, he only cared about padding his fat wallet. The only reason China is where they are at today economically is because of the outrageous special treatment that we gave them.

Ever wonder why the whole world is pissed at us right now? This could be part of the reason. Maybe it's more than just lost Iraqi contracts. Iraq is peanuts compared to China.

[FreeReign]

The opposition won 90 of the 176 seats that are directly elected by voters, while the president's group won 76 seats, the Central Election Commission said. The remaining 10 seats were still unconfirmed, the commission said. Another 49 seats will be divided up by the parties according to the number of votes they won in the direct election.

59 seats remain to be decided. Chen's party currently trails by 14 seats. How is this thing over?

[Quix]

You could easily be right about Bush and Taiwan. But I hope you're wrong. I hope he has more integrity about it.

Am glad the independence folks are not screaming successes. Such would make things much more dangerous, if they were, I think.

There's enough danger without tweaking the nose of the dragon.

[samtheman]

"We haven't reached our target," he said.

Similar to the US democratic party, refusing to use the past tense? Phrased as if the election is still continuing on?

[Rain-maker]

Stupid is as stupd does...