After World War II, many things have changed in Asia. Japan had to withdraw from all of its colonies, other nations began to occupy the released space. So happened with the island of Taiwan. Being a part of the Japanese Empire since 1895, it soon became one of the most prosperous places in Asia (right after Japan itself, of course). The Japanese built a strong prefectural governmental system, invested heavily in the island’s infrastructure, and even had then Prince, later Emperor Shōwa, come visit.
As said, after the loss of war, Japanese had to withdraw. Mainland Chinese soon occupied the island, and instead of freeing it, they too conquered. After extensive expropriations several Taiwanese uprisings were the consequence, Chiang Kai-shek sent even more of his republican troops.
When in 1949 the Kuomintang had to flee here, everything changed. With 2 million mainland Chinese following them into exile, politics became more complicated, as the new People’s Republic sought to also get the island under its control. First of all, they began with two little groups of islands at their shore, still belonging to the Chinese Republic. Matsu and Quemoy were subject to many armed hostilities until today, but stood the pressure.
Nowadays, Taiwan is an example of well-working democracy. Having ended the rule of Kuomintang (changing it to a democratic party) in early 2000’s, the island starts to think about what its been offered. On the one hand, there is reality: A status-quo without most of important states regarding it as sovereign (but at least they now, they are). On the other hand there is the People’s Republic, having accomplished reunification with Hong Kong and Macau — without war. Is there one China, or what could a reunification bring to all of them?
There are many questions, but only one answer: What do you think how much damage the People’s Republic would suffer if it went into war with the Republic? None at all.
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