Is the Chinese Government acting like an over-protective father to let go of Taiwan for whom freedom has become a mantra to establish itself as an independent country?
The Relationship Between China and Taiwan
China believes that from ancient times Taiwan was ruled by the Chinese. From the first expedition sent by a Chinese emperor in 239AD to the ruling by Qing dynasty from 17th to 19th century. In 1895 the order of the Qing dynasty came to an end after Japan won the First Sino-Japanese war. But after World War II, Japan surrendered, and the control of Taiwan went to the hands of China.
During the Chinese Civil war, Leader Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan because of Mao Zedong’s communist party’s torture. They referred to themselves as Mainland Chinese and formed governments, and began ruling as a dictator.
But locales were resentful towards the unethical ruling of Taiwan. After constitutional changes led by Lee Teng-hui, also known as ‘father of democracy’, the first election took place in 2000 and Chen Shui-bian was elected as the first President.
China always considered Taiwan as one of its states. But in the 1980s, China’s formula ‘One Country, Two Systems’ was rejected by Taiwan; instead, they relaxed rules on investments and visits. Even then, China considered Taiwan’s Government as illegitimate.
In 2005, China passed a succession law that states that if Taiwan tried to secede from China, they would use “non-peaceful means” against them.
In 2016, Tsai Ing-wen was selected as President whose Government is inclined towards official independence from China.
In 2020, Ms Tsai won the election with the most significant votes of about 8.2 million.
Last September, the highest level of state official from the US visited Taiwan to show its support, to which Beijing criticized the action and warned that such action might lead to grave damage to US-China relations.
This year, President Biden backed Taiwan, saying the relationship with Taiwan is “rock solid”.
China has occasionally been flying their military jets into Taiwanese air space since last year. An estimated number of 700 Chinese Military planes, of which more than 600 passed this year.
Recent Provocative Actions by China
Taiwan is nearing the date of declaring itself as Independent.
China’s recent incursion towards Taiwan began on Friday till Monday. During this period, a total number of 150 Chinese military jets flew through Taiwanese air space.
The reason behind China’s provocative action is that they view Taiwan as a breakaway province. But Taiwan sees itself as an independent state because it has its constitution, Government and military.
Earlier on Saturday, a total of 39 military planes flew. Earlier on Saturday, a total of 39 military aircraft passed. On Monday, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry released a statement saying a total number of 56 Chinese aircraft included 38 J-16 fighter jets, 12 H-6 bombers, two SU-30 fighters, two Y-8 anti-submarine warfare planes, and two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control planes flew over.
Remark Made by The USA
Jen Psaki, press secretary of White House, said, “We remain concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing risk miscalculations and undermines regional peace and stability”.
Senator Marko Rubio also said that these incursions made by China on Taiwan just before National Day is aggressive behaviour, and the rest of the world should find out what message China is sending everywhere.
Ned Price, the State Department spokesperson, also expressed concern about the provocative military activities.
Concluding Opinion
We live in a free world of a free solar system and a part of a free galaxy. Now, we have histories, and histories are essential because they tend to shape our future. But it does not mean that we should deny our today’s progressive thinking. In today’s world, no one has to come under anyone, and we all are unique.
All the higher authorities should find a suitable solution because war is not the solution, and war only cripples a society more than it builds.
