China vs Taiwan: A Historical Overview of the Ongoing Conflict
Introduction
The China-Taiwan conflict is a long-standing issue that dates back to the period when the Qing dynasty ruled China. When we refer to China, we typically mean Mainland China or the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Conversely, Taiwan is a group of islands off the mainland, located at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the Pacific Ocean. To the northwest is the PRC, to the northeast is Japan, and to the south is the Philippines. The Republic of China (Taiwan) claims to be an independent country, while the PRC claims to be one of its provinces.
Early History of Taiwan
Before the 17th century, aboriginal tribes inhabited a few pockets spread across the islands. These tribes were known for their savage nature and headhunting practices. Most parts of the islands were uninhabited, with fertile land available for farming. The islands are also rich in natural resources.
In the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company and the Spanish established colonies on the island of Taiwan, named Formosa (“the beautiful island”), by Portuguese explorers. The Dutch built a colony in the south and the Spanish in the north. The Spanish settlement lasted until 1642. During this period, mainland Chinese began immigrating to Taiwan to trade with the European colonies.
Piracy
Pirates found a safe haven in the islands’ coast and the coastline of mainland China on the other side of the Taiwan Strait because they could loot merchant ships passing through the strait. The settlements, with long gaps between them, were scattered across the islands close to the coastline. The Dutch and Chinese constantly tried to control them. Both the Dutch and the mainland Chinese rulers used these pirates against each other. They charged 10% of the catch from the fishermen as protection money for their safety from them. The Dutch also started collecting 10% of the catch as tax from the fishermen. All Chinese living in Formosa (Taiwan) or coming for trade were required to get a licence to distinguish them from the pirates. The licence fee became a significant source of revenue for the Dutch.
The Dutch Exit
In 1662, the loyalists of the Ming dynasty defeated the Dutch, established a base, and took control of Taiwan. In 1683, the forces of the Qing dynasty defeated the Ming and gradually expanded their rule on the island. At that time, Chinese from the mainland began settling on the islands for trade and farming. They occupied the land originally belonging to the aboriginal tribes native to the islands. By the end of the 19th century, which marked the end of the Qing dynasty, most aboriginal tribes had lost their land rights. They were either coerced to accept Chinese rule or were defeated by Chinese forces and killed.
Japanese Rule
After the defeat of the Qing forces in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), the Qing government signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan and ceded the sovereignty of Taiwan to it. The Japanese ruled the island until the end of World War II in August 1945.
There was resistance to Japanese rule by the local people who wanted the right to self-determination for the independent Republic of Formosa.
Chinese Civil War
In 1930, a civil war broke out between the government forces of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At the end of the civil war in 1949, KMT lost control of mainland China to the CCP, which established the People’s Republic of China (PRC). KMT withdrew to Taiwan, retaining control of the island and establishing a government there.
After the retreat to Taiwan, the KMT continued to claim legitimacy as the government of all of China, while the CCP established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland. The KMT-led government in Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, remained recognised by the international community as the sole legitimate government of China for several decades, but its influence gradually declined.
Under Chiang Kai-shek, the KMT implemented authoritarian policies in Taiwan and imposed martial law for decades, suppressing political dissent and opposition. However, after Chiang died in 1975 and the subsequent lifting of martial law in 1987, Taiwan underwent a period of democratisation and political liberalisation.
Today, Taiwan is a vibrant democracy with a developed economy and a high standard of living. However, the issue of Taiwan’s political status remains unresolved, with China still claiming Taiwan as a part of its territory and the possibility of military conflict between the two sides always looming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tension between China and Taiwan has reached a critical point where the risk of a full-blown military conflict cannot be ignored. A minor incident or misunderstanding could trigger a disastrous war with far-reaching consequences for the entire world. It is reassuring to see the United States and its allies standing firm in their support for Taiwan, but this also increases the likelihood of a direct confrontation with China. It is essential for both sides to exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to this complex issue. The international community should also play a constructive role in facilitating negotiations and promoting regional stability. Ultimately, the peaceful coexistence of Taiwan and China is in the best interest of both sides and the world, and all efforts should be made to achieve this goal.
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