Kosovo, Taiwan, Tibet rattle China

Taipei Times ^ | 3/23/08 | Wen Liao

[Dawnsblood]

Why is China behaving as it is in Tibet? What makes Tibet so important to the government in Beijing? At the heart of the matter is the fact that nothing worries China's rulers more than when the country's unity is called into question. And nothing makes them more anxious than their fear that a regional dispute might, if not brought to an end quickly, steamroll into national disintegration.

Kosovo's recent declaration of independence sharpened the Chinese government's anxieties over the protests in Tibet. Although supporters of Kosovo's independence argue that it sets no international precedent, China's rulers fear otherwise. Moreover, Taiwan's presidential election has further ratcheted up the tension for China's government.

It may sound strange to the outside world that China, which has known nothing but economic success for three decades, should feel its unity to be so fragile. But China's history, both ancient and modern, suggests that there is nothing permanent or stable about the country's current unity.

Indeed, today's unity was secured only with Mao Zedong's victory in 1949.

From the Warring States period (403BC to 221BC) to the warlord period of the 20th century (1916 to 1928) -- and many times in between -- China's territory has splintered into separate, rival regions. So, while loudly proclaiming the unity of the Chinese state, the leadership is obsessed with the country's fragility and works constantly to reduce tensions between provinces.

The government's failure to eradicate chronic regional tension underscores the limits of central authority in China, which was partly intentional. An integral feature of the reforms that Deng Xiaoping launched 30 years ago was greater autonomy for local authorities -- a move aimed at fostering accountability and creating incentives for growth.

[sinanju]

We’ve gotta use the Olympic club to beat as much democratic concessions out of the chicoms as we can.

[sinanju]

A Chinese breakup might not be a bad thing for the Chinese.

Every time corruption, government abuse of power, pollution, toxic toys, et al, are brought up, the standard excuse is what a huge ungovernable country China is.

Recall, if you will, Orson Welles “cuckoo clock” soliloquy in “The Fourth Man.”

Why not a collection of democracies rather than warlords?

[sinanju]

A Chinese breakup might not be a bad thing for the Chinese.

Every time corruption, government abuse of power, pollution, toxic toys, et al, are brought up, the standard excuse is what a huge ungovernable country China is.

Recall, if you will, Orson Welles “cuckoo clock” soliloquy in “The Fourth Man.”

Why not a collection of peacefully competing democracies rather than feuding warlords?

[TigersEye]

The West does not have an interest in helping either Tibet or Taiwan become sovereign countries, and efforts by some Tibetans and Taiwanese in this direction present the danger of a miscalculation that could create lasting enmity.

What interest did the U.S. have in supporting independence of Kosovo? We already have enmity from China so we lose nothing by supporting independence of Tibet, Mongolia, Taiwan and the Uiguirs. Hong Kong too if they want it.

China has only had unity by force in its entire history. Unity has only existed in the minds of its elitist tyrants.

[Mike Powell]

And may the ancient Greeks and Baron Pierre de Coubetine will rest in peace. Because I do hope that they won’t hear your words. Believe me they will cry when they hear this.