[LibertarianInExile]

History is on 'Taiwan's side?' What does that mean? They have a history of independence?

Or is it that we respect treaties as dispositive of disputed territory? So we give any colonialist that treated with China its territory back, because the treaties say so, they have first claim, and the territory was disputed at the end of WWII. You go tell those Koreans that their territory rightfully belongs to Japan instead of the Korean people--Japan has a better claim than they do because Japan and China signed a treaty before the war. Make sure you are ready for a lot of people laughing in your face.

You'd think instead of imagining that the last century is Asia's default setting, you would try recognizing that recorded history in Asia isn't just the last two hundred years--it's something on the order of four THOUSAND years--and the Chinese simply have a record of Taiwanese presence and regional dominance that is undeniable. I am NOT saying 'they get Taiwan.' I AM saying they have a greater historical claim than any but the native Taiwanese!

If you want to claim Taiwan should be independent, I'm with you. If you want to claim Taiwan should be left alone by the PRC, I'm with you. But if you're telling me that Japan has a better claim to the island than the PRC because of a treaty that the PRC signed at the point of a gun, puh-leeze. The Japanese signed a treaty ceding Taiwan back to China at the point of a gun, too. The U.S. just happened to be stupid enough to let its President agree to the 'One-China Policy' and go soft on Communism, and Nixon messed that up, not me. Don't get mad at me for telling the truth, that history doesn't fit the situation as we'd hope it would.

[tallhappy]

They have a history of independence?

Yes.

After China ceded Taiwan, Taiwan established the first Republic in Asia's history. They didn't want to be ruled by Japan.

Japan though was able to defeat them in a matter of months.

[tallhappy]

The Japanese signed a treaty ceding Taiwan back to China at the point of a gun, too

No. Japan never ceded Taiwan back to anyone. Japan's WWII surrender relinquished all claim to Taiwan but did not cede it back to China or any country. If the communists hadn't taken over China, most likely the treaty would have ceded it to China, but that was not in the treaty.

In no way am I saying Japan has a cliam on Taiwan if that's what you think.

Neither China nor Japan have any valid claim to Taiwan. China is the only one claiming that.

The US as liberators of Japan (and Taiwan) acyually have a better claim on Taiwan than either Japan or China if anyone has a claim.

The whole idea of claims, though, is ludicrous. It is a nation of 23 million (more than Australia) in the top tier of all nations economically.

How can anyone claim that? It's nonsense.