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> China has surpassed Taiwan economically. Per capita basis Taiwan is much better, but overall PRC is a lot more stronger. > So many, that if the CCP lets Tai

> China has surpassed Taiwan economically. Per capita basis Taiwan is much better, but overall PRC is a lot more stronger. > So many, that if the CCP lets Taiwan go, many people will revolt. CCP has the gift of being able to control the narrative though, can't they make it seem like a win-win situation for them by doing it as some grand gesture and peace through largesse of their heart. > Geographically, Taiwan is a military significant piece of land. The US can set up base there and blockade all China's naval traffic. While I can see the importance of Taiwan as an opening between Japan and Philippines. Can't an enemy power use Japan, SK and Philippines to still blockade from Pacific. Also, friendly relations with an independent Taiwan might mean it remains in PRC's sphere of influence

FooBarWidget 6y ago
I am not a military expert, but the analyses I've seen suggest that Taiwan is a key piece that makes or breaks the US' "first island chain", which is crucial in containing China. Yes China can control the narrative to some extent, and historically they did. For example all of outer Mongolia was ceded to Russia. If you check Taiwan's official claims, you will see that it's much bigger than the People's Republic of China today. The CCP has a history of ceding land (that is strategically not too valuable) in order to setup peace. I'm guessing that the military significance is the biggest reason why they're not giving up Taiwan.
- actuator 6y ago
  I think you do know more about this, so I will trust your comment. > The CCP has a history of ceding land (that is strategically not too valuable) in order to setup peace. This doesn't explain their border differences with India though. For all I can understand only a small part of the western border seems of strategic importance.
  - FooBarWidget 6y ago
    I don't know too much about the China-India dispute. From what I know, the current border was unilaterally drawn by the British during India's colonial period. China and India later disagreed on this British-setup border. I heard that China did try to propose some solutions, including one in which more than 50% of the territory is ceded to India, but India has rejected all offers so far. This article by the Asia Research Institute (set up by Kishore Mahbubani) has some background on the diplomatic history of this issue: https://ari.nus.edu.sg/app-essay-kanti-bajpai https://ari.nus.edu.sg/app-essay-kanti-bajpai
    - sbmthakur 6y ago
      I have read that the proposed solution included China giving up claim on Arunachal Pradesh(de facto Indian territory, South Tibet as per PRC) and India giving up claim on Aksai Chin(de facto Chinese territory, part of Ladakh as per India). Not sure why it was not pursued. Maybe India's relations with Pakistan were a factor.
  - Mediterraneo10 6y ago
    > This doesn't explain their border differences with India though. Access to the water. The border China would like to control would put the watershed from glaciers on China’s side.

FooBarWidget 6y ago

I am not a military expert, but the analyses I've seen suggest that Taiwan is a key piece that makes or breaks the US' "first island chain", which is crucial in containing China. Yes China can control the narrative to some extent, and historically they did. For example all of outer Mongolia was ceded to Russia. If you check Taiwan's official claims, you will see that it's much bigger than the People's Republic of China today. The CCP has a history of ceding land (that is strategically not too valuable) in order to setup peace. I'm guessing that the military significance is the biggest reason why they're not giving up Taiwan.

actuator 6y ago
I think you do know more about this, so I will trust your comment. > The CCP has a history of ceding land (that is strategically not too valuable) in order to setup peace. This doesn't explain their border differences with India though. For all I can understand only a small part of the western border seems of strategic importance.
- FooBarWidget 6y ago
  I don't know too much about the China-India dispute. From what I know, the current border was unilaterally drawn by the British during India's colonial period. China and India later disagreed on this British-setup border. I heard that China did try to propose some solutions, including one in which more than 50% of the territory is ceded to India, but India has rejected all offers so far. This article by the Asia Research Institute (set up by Kishore Mahbubani) has some background on the diplomatic history of this issue: https://ari.nus.edu.sg/app-essay-kanti-bajpai https://ari.nus.edu.sg/app-essay-kanti-bajpai
  - sbmthakur 6y ago
    I have read that the proposed solution included China giving up claim on Arunachal Pradesh(de facto Indian territory, South Tibet as per PRC) and India giving up claim on Aksai Chin(de facto Chinese territory, part of Ladakh as per India). Not sure why it was not pursued. Maybe India's relations with Pakistan were a factor.
- Mediterraneo10 6y ago
  > This doesn't explain their border differences with India though. Access to the water. The border China would like to control would put the watershed from glaciers on China’s side.