Taiwan’s Independence Status
Politically speaking, there are two distinct voices in Taiwan: the first group is for independence while the other is for the status quo (unification). The Pan-Blue group of parties support the unification idea. On the other hand, the Pan-Green coalition is seeking independence. The KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are the largest Pan-Blue and Pan-Green parties respectively. The issue of independence or unification dominates the politics in Taiwan.
Despite some nations treating Taiwan as independent, international law would classify the state as not independent. Internationally, the PRC is considered the country and that Taiwan is its twenty-third province. Even within the world treaty of UN Taiwan is not recognized as a nation, but as a state of the PRC.
The current tension between Japan and China
Even though China and Japan have had a peaceful existence before the 20th Century, the current issue on Taiwan’s independence puts the two nations in some tension. From history, Taiwan had been under Japanese, Chinese and other foreign powers occupation before, during and after WW2. An example is the Japanese attempted assimilation of Taiwan in the mid 1930’s.
The PRC has threatened military action over Taiwan’s declaration of independence. It is a threat to take military action against a possible Taiwan declaration of independence that has put Japan (and even USA) in tension with the People’s Republic of China. Japan has taken steps in re-interpreting its constitution to allow her to exercise her right of self-defense and intervene in the eventual Chinese military attack on Taiwan.
The complication of such a decision by Japan would be the international law and treaties. Japan recognizes PRC as a government and should respect it as such. Secondly, the UN (of which Japan is a member) does not recognize the independence of Taiwan. This means that even if Taiwan would request for Japanese military help in case of a Chinese attack, it would be illegal for Japan to take military action.
The tension between the two countries is likely to get lower. This is because of the prevalent political situation in Taiwan. The democratization of Taiwan has re-ignited the issue of independence with DPP pushing for this direction of events. However, a referendum taken shows that the majority of Taiwanese are for the status quo. The debate will only get hotter and hotter, but the fact is that the majority of the people prefer the status quo than independence.
Exercise on International Organization’s relations with Taiwan and China
Contrary to popular expectations that the tension between China and Taiwan would dampen the trade, there exists a robust trade between the two economies. As a matter of fact, the mainland China is Taiwan’s largest trade partner. The international trade with Taiwan for such organizations as IBM is possible. Taiwan is a very lucrative destination and investors in Taiwan come from all over the globe beginning with PRC.
References
Calder, Kent E. "China and Japan's simmering rivalry." FOREIGN AFFAIRS-NEW YORK- 85.2 (2006): 129.
Niou, Emerson MS. "Understanding Taiwan independence and its policy implications." Asian Survey 44.4 (2004): 555-567.
