Posted on 06/29/2017 7:51:33 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Yes, but the AIT is NOT an embassy. We have no formal diplomatic relation with Taiwan. This is the first time that US Marines will be stationed at AIT. Currently it is the local police that provide security.
I think the AIT in not actually an embassy, though it does the things an embassy does.
So this is a bit of a change.
I think.
The thing about Taiwan, is that every so often they make overtures to work out some plan to rejoin the mainland.
I don’t think we should stick our neck out at all, if that’s their take on things.
Granted, it’s been a while, but it sure soured me on supporting them whole hog.
They also passed a health care bill.
Jackasses!
I really do have a lil portfolio of my time there...(and a TON of stories...lol)
.........those of us that have been in Westpac more than 40 years ago know Kaiohsiung is the best liberty call in all of the Western Pacific.
There is a struggle between mainladers and native Taiwanese. Mainlanders always set sight on China. They don’t see Taiwan as a separate state. Natives resent mainlanders and China. They would rather side with Japan. Actually they are pro-Japan.
Democratic Progressive Party represents natives and Kuomintang, mainlanders. on the political spectrum, DPP is a liberal party more like Dems in U.S., though. I believe Kaohsiung is the stronghold of natives and DPP.
Kaioshung is a nice city to visit. Had great food down there. Unfortunately a hurricane/typhoon had just hit the island and there was about 4 feet of water in the streets.
I think the hotel staff just went up to the roof and did their dinner fishing from there. You should have seen the size of the fish we had. Probably a 15-20 pounder, perfectly baked and sliced so that we could take out large square chunks of fish in our chopsticks.
Since I had the longest arms at the table, I got a lot more fish than others.
The people of (official name) the Republic of China (ROC), are very friendly, well educated, and hard working.
Just for shits and grins, the former president of Taiwan, Mark Ma (Cheo Jeung something or other) was a classmate of mine at the Summer Seminar for Sino-American Youth at Chengchi University. We knew he was going to become a political leader later on. Unfortunately, he became a little to soft on Red China and later lost re-election.
However, he was a nice person, well educated and a new friend, along with the rest of our Chinese student counterparts and hosts.
This time, the Dali Lama would not have to leave out through the back door next to the garbage bags. That’s how The Kenyan treated him years ago. No pictures showing Obama and the Dali together! Obama was so afraid of ruffling China’s feathers.
Good for the Trump admin.
Over thinking. Negotiating with China using every mean possible to shut down North Korea. Trump 10 steps ahead of your thinking.
Yes, but the AIT is NOT an embassy. We have no formal diplomatic relation with Taiwan. This is the first time that US Marines will be stationed at AIT. Currently it is the local police that provide security.
I stand corrected. thanks for the clarification.
Except this came from Capital Hill, unless I’m missing it.
Thanks.
Thanks for your comments. Makes sense.
You’re right. I just got the correct information. Thanks.
I am extremely pleased with this vote. Taking slow, steady steps towards recognizing one of the most advanced democracies in Asia is a good idea.
The divide is much more generational as well as urban/rural than it is ethnic at this point. Essentially no Taiwanese - be they ethnically Han Chinese, Taiwanese, or Aboriginal (Polynesian) - under the age of 35 has any interest in rejoining the mainland and the vast majority support independence.
This desire for independence is mitigated by the immense economic important of China to Taiwan. Companies like HTC, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Foxconn and others which are all Taiwanese corporations have their manufacturing in China. China could harm Taiwan tremendously. Imagine if China, Canada, and Mexico all simultaneously stopped importing goods from America and exporting goods to America, it would be about that profound.
So, the youth and the urban population of Taiwan generally favor taking slow, careful steps towards independence. Many younger Taiwanese favor quicker steps, but as they get a little older and enter the workforce, the realize the importance of maintaining China as a trading partner while the move towards independence happens.
Older Taiwanese and rural Taiwanese are more closely allied with the KMT who favor the status quo, with slow movement towards some kind of reconciliation. A lot of this has more to do with guang xi than it does with an actual in depth understanding of the politics of the situation. Much like Americans who blindly vote Dem or GOPe without thinking, these people are allied to the party much more than policy or principle.
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