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.

Get Updates on Excellent Series and Movies

Follow us on Twitter, and join our new Facebook group Netflix Series and Flicks, to learn more about excellent series and movies.

Like, tell, and share this page and the Facebook group with your family and friends. More suggestions for excellent series and movies are on the way.

Click here to Join the Facebook Group

Click here to follow on Twitter

Check out our articles

• 
  10 Best K Dramas on Netflix
  Looking for the best K-dramas on Netflix to binge-watch? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of our top 10 picks that cover a range of genres and feature some of the most acclaimed shows from the Korean entertainment industry. From romantic comedies to historical dramas, sci-fi thrillers, and more, there’s something for everyone on this list.
• 
  Kenga Ashura: A Review of Thriller
  Kengan Ashura is an action-packed martial arts anime that follows the story of Tokita Ohma, a powerful fighter who enters the Kengan matches to represent his employer, Nogi Group. The series features intense fight scenes, unique and diverse characters, and compelling storylines that keep viewers engaged. With stunning animation and a well-developed plot, Kengan Ashura is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
• 
  Baki on Netflix: A Review
  Baki on Netflix is a thrilling anime series that follows the story of a young martial artist who strives to become the strongest fighter in the world. With intense and exciting fight scenes, detailed animation, and well-developed characters, Baki is a must-watch for martial arts and anime fans.
• 
  China vs Taiwan: A Historical Overview of the Ongoing Conflict
  Tensions between China and Taiwan have been on the rise in recent years, with China increasing military activities near Taiwan’s borders and the US pledging to support Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion. This article provides an overview of the historical and political background of the Taiwan-China conflict, including the split between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and the eventual retreat of the Kuomintang to Taiwan. It also discusses the current situation in the region and the potential dangers of a full-fledged war. As the world watches with concern, the hope is that a peaceful resolution can be found to avoid any further escalation of tensions.
• 
  Alice in Borderland Season 2 Review
  A review of Alice in Borderland season 2. What was brilliant? Where it lacked? And what to expect in the coming seasons?
• 
  Eleven Stranger Things Character Synopsis
  Eleven from Stranger Things. A complete synopsis of the character, who wanted to live a regular life like a child, but destiny plays otherwise. Using her superpowers, she fights with the ruthless humans and monsters and demons from the Upside world from the other dimension.
• 
  Ruth Langmore’s death proved she was a beautiful expendable loyalist
  Ruth Langmore had always been loyal to the Byrdes, but in the end, the latter proved that she was expandable to them. And could bear her death as a loss.
• 
  Watch excellent series and movies in April
  Watch excellent must-watch series and movies in April 2022. Check out the list.
• 
  Best Korean Dramas of All Time – 5 Amazing Must-Watch
  Five must-watch and best Korean dramas of all time other than Squid Game and Alice In Borderland, you should not miss.
• 
  A new must-watch show like Breaking Bad
  A Korean must-watch show like Breaking Bad. A student involves into an illegal business of managing prostitution. The show highlights the problems faced by teenagers.

The post China vs Taiwan: A Historical Overview of the Ongoing Conflict appeared first on The Hurricane Times.

Photo by Shivam Dewan on Unsplash

As per reports, Chinese started their advances in the Indian territory across LAC in the month of April 2020. Such a large force of PLA could not have moved overnight into Galwan valley, North and South banks of Pyongyang Tso, Depsang and other areas of the Indian Territory in Eastern Ladakh. They must have taken some time for their maneuvers which went undetected or were ignored by our intelligence agencies. All these areas are above 10000 ft from sea level and require proper acclimatization for troops to satisfactorily perform their normal duties, more so in combat. Chinese troops must have carried out concentration of such a large force for at least two months within the territory held by them before moving across LAC.

It is to the credit of Indian Army that they quickly reacted to the situation and pushed the Chinese back across the LAC after bloody skirmishes in Galwan valley where our brave soldiers from Bihar Regt, Sikh Regt and Artillery units located in the area, inflicted heavy casualties on the PLA who used primitive barbaric weapons, in unarmed combat without using firearms on the night between 29 & 30 June. Though 20 of our bravehearts attained martyrdom but they gave a bloody lesson to the Chinese not to mess with Indian Army. Though Chinese never disclosed their casualties, independent sources have confirmed that PLA lost more than hundred dead and many more hundreds injured.

From July onwards, after quick maneuvers, Indian Army occupied strategic heights on the North and South banks of Pyongyang Tso, Ridges between finger 4 finger 8, Rezang La, Richen La in Chashul and other heights from where they can monitor the Chinese movements. By occupying these heights, they have effectively blocked the routes through which Chinese could advance towards Leh garrison. PLA was surprised and tried to react and force Indians out of the heights by intimidating fire for the first time after 1967. Indians have held the ground, though highly provoked, they kept their cool..

PLA has started using the same tactics which they used in 1962 before invading India, using loudspeakers blaring “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” and claiming that Indian Army is sitting in Chinese territory and must vacate the area. Now they have started playing Punjabi songs on the loudspeakers to distract Indian soldiers.

In the latest action, Indian Army has deployed T90, T72 tanks and ICVs in Ladakh to counter any move by the PLA. These shall prove as a deterrent to the PLA to avoid any misadventure of attacking Indian positions.

Chinese can not be Trusted

The Chinese were forced to the negotiating table by our brave soldiers. There have been a series of meetings both at military level and diplomatic level. The Defence Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister have also held meetings with their counterparts in Moscow at the request of Chinese during which it was decided not to escalate the situation which may lead to full fledged war. Meetings between local military commanders at Brigade level did not achieve any result. There have been six meetings between Corps Commanders and during the last meeting which was attended by the representative of MEA also, it was agreed by both sides that further deployment of troops will not be carried out by both sides.

Chinese are known to do exactly the opposite of what they say and agree to on the negotiating table. The history is full of the stories of their deceit. The meeting was carried out on 21 September 2020 and even after 9 days, there is a stalemate on the question of withdrawal for which Chinese are putting up fresh conditions. On Tuesday 29th September 2020, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhaduria stated that the present security scenario along our northern frontiers is at an uneasy no war no peace status and our defence forces are prepared for any eventuality.

We must not lower our guards as the enemy is very cunning and not trustworthy. He has on earlier occasions also stabbed us in the back. We must be prepared for a long drawn confrontation with China. Under no circumstance we should withdraw from our advantageous strategic positions.

We are proud of our Armed Forces who have shown the Chinese that India is not ready to handover even one square centimeter of our land to them or their ally Pakistan. Jai Hind.

The post Indo – China Standoff appeared first on The Hurricane Times.