Volume 2 Issue
11All articles linked to this newsletter are for reference only.
Volume 2 Issue
11Taiwan Steps Closer
To Independence
By Randy Loudenslager
For America and much of the world, the Republic of China has been known as Taiwan. But in mainland China, the name Taiwan is a fighting word. For the Republic of China to refer to itself as Taiwan would be tantamount to a declaration of independence from mainland China. China has long held that Taiwan was only a breakaway province and will be reigned in with force if unification efforts fail. The Republic of China has taken the first formal step of referring to itself, officially, as Taiwan by adding the name to the cover of passports for her citizens.
This act by Taiwan's government will likely inflame an already volatile rhetoric war between the two adversaries. On the map Taiwan is a pea in the pot compared to her neighbor. Her population is also dwarfed by the larger China, by billions! So what keeps big China from gobbling up Taiwan? China has certainly threatened war for decades and would have acted already if it were not for the strategic military alliance between Taiwan and the United States. Because of location, Taiwan is of strategic importance to America in keeping communist Chinese aggression checked in the region. America and Taiwan also share a modern history bond. Admittedly, this bond is not as strong as the kindred ties put forth by pro-unification groups, but very important to the independent minded citizenry of Taiwan. It was the United States who largely funded and trained the Nationalist Chinese troops under General Chiang Kia-shek during WWII against the Japanese invasion. When the Chinese Communists successfully launched their revolution and defeated the Nationalist forces, it was the U.S. that came to the rescue in aiding their retreat to the island formerly known as Formosa.
America's little friend in the South China Sea has also been a cause of continual concern for the U.S. Taiwan has longed for independence, but is restrained by the U.S.'s 'One China' policy which does not recognize Taiwan's independent aspirations. Taiwan, under the eagles wings of America, has at times provoked communist China with talk of independence. America is committed to Taiwan's defense against attack from the mainland. Taiwan likes America's attention because of the security it enjoys against her neighbor. Unfortunately, Taiwan has also adopted a strategy of sounding the bells of independence whenever America's attention is turned elsewhere, such as the war on terrorism. No one really knows how far the Communists will bend under such independence talk, but most agree that it wouldn't bend very far. As you read this, China is preparing to go to war to take Taiwan, they do this with complete understanding that it will be the United States that she faces in that war and she is arming accordingly.
If China were to, some day, feel confident enough in her ability to wage war against the U.S., it would pull most of American military assets away from other obligations to answer this ever growing threat. This would provide a tempting opportunity for America's enemies that might never present itself again. For most Americans, it is difficult to fathom, even after September 11, that America might not be able to fulfill all of her military commitments or win all of her future wars. At some point America will decide, or it will be decided for America, that she can no longer consider Israel's defense as a priority over her own self interests. Has Israel ever had another friend like America? Will she have even one friend in the last days? My Bible says no. These are key components to understanding the signs of the last days. We would be wise to take notice of them!