Completely random poll: Taiwan/China relations

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Back story: my institution has a very large Chinese population and several students who identify as Taiwanese (specifically not as Chinese). We had the Taiwanese flag represented at an event and some of the Chinese students raised a stink. Administration is probably going to ask me about it, so I'm curious how the "general public" (biased sample, whatever) feels.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

If you're on the app, the options are:

Yes, Taiwan should gain independence if the people want it.
No, Taiwan should reunify with China (PRC).
I don't know enough to decide.
SS

[Velar Fricative]

I don't like the current situation because recognition of Taiwan is just so inconsistent. They're either an independent country or they're not.

[ttt]

I am fundamentally against any land belonging to and coming under the rule of another country when the people who live there overwhelmingly want to be independent and self-governed.

[pixy0stix]

All I know is that once my Chinese lab manager stated that the Taiwanese were stupid for wanting independence from China.

[rupertpenny]

I voted yes, Taiwan should gain independence, but I almost voted SS because Taiwan doesn't need to gain independence. It is a sovereign state that has never been under the authority of the PRC.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Sept 3, 2015 19:34:53 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I voted yes, Taiwan should gain independence, but I almost voted SS because Taiwan doesn't need to gain independence. It is a sovereign state that has never been under the authority of the PRC.

True, but Taiwan doesn't have UN recognition, and the PRC tends to threaten military action if the ROC starts making moves toward independence. China is like a possessive boyfriend that won't acknowledge that you broke up 70 years ago.

[katfco]

When we were in China, our answer was, "I don't know enough about it," but yes, they should gain independence if it's what they want.

[Michelle]

Sept 3, 2015 19:50:08 GMT -5 ChillyMcFreeze said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:34:53 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I voted yes, Taiwan should gain independence, but I almost voted SS because Taiwan doesn't need to gain independence. It is a sovereign state that has never been under the authority of the PRC.

True, but Taiwan doesn't have UN recognition, and the PRC tends to threaten military action if the ROC starts making moves toward independence. China is like a possessive boyfriend that won't acknowledge that you broke up 70 years ago.

I picked SS because Taiwan is too small and vulnerable to be its own sovereign nation. Every time it tries, it gets taken over. China-Japan-China - since it operates like a democracy under the PRC it seems in its own best interest to keep it as it is.

I realize that is an over simplification, but it can't have enough resources to maintain its own strong military against other nations wanting to attack it. Its location makes it an economically important gateway between mainland East Asia and the Americas. Kaohsiung port is like #6 in the world for container shipments.