http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/03/13/china.npc.law/index.html)

Red China (People's Republic of China) has authorized a bill which allows the nation to use military force against the island nation of Taiwan (aka T'ai-Wan, or the Republic of China), should the nation declare independence.

Taiwan was founded by Koumintang leader Chiang Kai-Shek when he retreated with most of his army to the island (then Formosa). Kai-Shek set up a government on Taiwan and eventually started holding free elections. Taiwan stands in stark contrast to China today, with its highly successful economy (it has a computer production facility dubbed the "Silicon Valley of the East" and has recently completed Taipei 101 - a stunning skyscraper 500+ metres tall, by far the tallest building in the world, worth a thread in itself).

Kai-Shek, when he defected, brought with him tonnes of historical pieces of art, which are now displayed at a museum in Taipei (the treasure is so big that only a very small fraction of it is displayed at a time, with switches every second month. If you lived in Taiwan and wanted to see the whole collection, therefore, it'd take you years).

Red China has been repeatedly harrassing Taiwan, even firing cruise missiles at the island nation. The country today tries to build its own identity, while at the same time keeping "Big brother China" at peace.

What do you think of this conflict? Personally, I'd say China has no rights whatsoever to take over Taiwan. China's dictatorship has ruined the economy, and if Taiwan was to become part of China it'd probably not be very good for its economy. I say that, at least as long as China can't get around to become a democracy, Taiwan should be a free nation.

Your ideas?

Taipei 101 (look at the size of that thing): http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=329425)
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=300623)
Size comparison (not counting towers, which I don't, Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world):
http://img.thefreedictionary.com/wiki/7/77/Skyscrapercompare1.PNG)

Generallisimo Chiang Kai-Shek: http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/Chiang%20Kai%20Shek.Bio.html)

The Revolution and chairman Mao Tse Tsung (not "Zedong"): http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/disband/solidarity/china_rev2.html)

China is slowly moving towards more freedom (albeit with one step back for every two forward) but their sense of honour and history has always meant they have had a bit of a tochy spot where taiwan and hong kong were concerned (especially taiwan).

I don't see china ever getting taiwan back, they may well even privately accept this themselves, but its going to keep posturing about it for years to come.

China is going to be the powerhouse economy of the world for the next few years, so i don't think that really affects things either way.

Whenever I read about this I always get the image of a big bully trying to steal the wimpy kid's lunch money.

; P

Taipei 101's Web Site (http://www.tfc101.com.tw/english/).

Ol' USA has a carrier group in the Strait, last time I checked. Not to fight the People's Army/Navy (PLAN), but more as a deterrant.

Whenever I read about this I always get the image of a big bully trying to steal the wimpy kid's lunch money.
Taiwan isn't a "wimpy" nation, really . Tiny country, 300 000 man army. More like a big bully threatening to steal the lunch money from a little kid who's got a black belt in karate. Who will probably lose a fight, but not before giving the big bully a black eye or something:p.

That, plus the US presence and the international consequences, is the reason china is never going to attack.

Its more like the big bully who knows his bluff has been called (cos the little kid has gone and learnt karate and got his big mate round) but still feels he has to keep up some form of bluster so he doesn't look weak.