Billy Jean
Mar 26 2004, 03:57 PM
QUOTE
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Hundreds of Taiwanese protesters scuffled with riot police, threw eggs and broke windows Friday as they stormed into the Central Election Commission's headquarters, where officials certified the results of last weekend's disputed presidential vote.
Police tried to push back the protesters, but refrained from using their clubs to stop them. Some demonstrators went up elevators to the commission offices, but most stayed in the lobby, hurling eggs at the wall and knocking down flowerpots. They stayed at the scene late into the evening.
Meanwhile, rival China issued its strongest warning since the election. The mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement it will not "look on unconcerned" if the post-election situation leads to "social turmoil, endangering lives and property of Taiwan compatriots and affecting stability across the Taiwan Straits." Beijing has long insisted that self-ruled Taiwan belongs to China. It has threatened to take over the island if Taiwan ever slips into chaos.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...iwan_election_6If the situation in Taiwan deteriorates, wil the US come to the aid of Taiwan? And if so, how would that effect our relationship with China?
Victoria Silverwolf
Mar 27 2004, 04:26 AM
I am by no means an expert on this situation, so take everything I say with a very large grain of salt indeed.
I tend to think that this situation will not develop into the sort of chaos we see in Haiti. I suspect that Beijing is just making the sort of statements it has always made about Taiwan. I believe, and I certainly hope, that things will settle down after a while.
To answer your questions, let's assume that the very worst possible situation occurs, and there is total chaos in Taiwan. I suspect that the United States would be wise to ask the United Nations to try to calm things down, with the help of China and other nations. This would have the advantage of making China look like a ruthless bully indeed if it tried to take over Taiwan.
But suppose the United States is too late, and China just marches in and takes over. What can be done? We certainly don't want war with China. The most that could be done would be to issue a strong protest, to attempt to have the United Nations issue a strong protest, and to use economic sanctions against China. In such a scenario, Taiwan would have to be treated in the way that Tibet is treated. Is China willing to face multinational sanctions in order to control Taiwan? I hope not.
Desert Resident
Mar 27 2004, 07:17 AM
If the situation in Taiwan deteriorates, will the US come to the aid of Taiwan? And if so, how would that effect our relationship with China?QUOTE
BEIJING, China (AP) -- China has expressed displeasure at congratulations sent by the United States to Taiwan's leader, saying the "incorrect act" undermined Washington's commitment to the one-China policy.
The terse statement was issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the White House commended the "successful conclusion" of Taiwan's election while acknowledging that legal challenges to President Chen Shui-bian's tumultuous win remain.
"We congratulate Mr. Chen on his victory," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement Friday, after Taiwan's Central Election Commission certified the results of the disputed vote.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/03/2...n.ap/index.htmlWell, sounds like if the U. S. had kept quiet, Taiwan would be angry and China would be happy. Since the U. S. offered its congratulations to Taiwan...they are happy but China is upset. Doesn't sound like a win win situation to me. And I pray that we keep out of it. We have enough battles to fight.
kalabus
Mar 27 2004, 07:31 AM
The US cannot currently afford a war but we are not afraid of China. We appease them to a degree by not formally recognizing Taiwan but we are in the picture enought to let China know they better not get grabby. China is a massive country with huge people resources but a war with the US (non nuclear of course because a nuke war between US and China would be a total loss for all) would be unwinnable. Technologically speaking they are 40 years behind us in militaristic regards. It would cost about a million Americans their lives though but I do not see any scenario that would entail a Chinese victory. In all actuality I would put China about 5th on the world scene as far as military ability and winability goes.
In short China doesnt want a piece of the US and the US doesnt want a piece of China but China cannot afford a piece of the US......usually. Taiwan may be getting excited at the wrong time. Us obligations are currently to vast and I do not forsee Europe (EU) doing anything as if I remember correctly they are currently in the process of selling China weopens and arms and wouldnt want to hurt their future market as China develops.