Taiwanrocks! Tâi-ôan-chio♿h!

http://taiwanrox.blogspot.com/2009/01/support-taiwan-united-states-of-america.html

Taiwan and the USA have been connected in many ways ever since 1949, and both have many similarities. Both were the underdogs, battling powerful enemies, and both are Democratic. Taiwan's safety relies heavily on the US, and ever since the ROC moved to Taiwan, the USA has been helping Taiwan by sending in the 7th fleet and selling weapons to Taiwan. However, USA remains one of the countries not recognizing Taiwan. The government of the USA seems to have forgotten the time when they were fighting against the British King George the 3rd. However, this is not to say America's citizens think Taiwan is a part of China.

"A strong majority has viewed Taiwan as being more like an independent country than as part of China. In February 1996, when China was launching missiles into the Taiwan Strait to reiterate its territorial claim during Taiwan's first democratic presidential election, Louis Harris presented respondents with two options to describe Taiwan's status. Sixty-two percent chose the description of a Taiwan as a 'completely separate and independent of China.' Less than one-third chose the description of Taiwan as 'part of China.' This does not necessarily mean that most Americans think of Taiwan as being no different than any other sovereign state, because the only other option was the description of Taiwan as part of China. But it does make clear that more Americans think of Taiwan as being more like an independent country than as part of China. Perhaps more important, in the same poll, 69% said that Taiwan and China should be reunified 'only if the Taiwanese want to be'; just 18%, however, said they should 'never be reunified'; and only 2% felt they 'should eventually be reunified under any circumstances.'"[13]

-http://www.americans-world.org/digest/regional_issues/china/china7.cfm

The US is known to have supported blooming democracies in the past; those including the democracies of South America, France, and others. However, in the later years, the USA has let major democracies (South Vietnam, North Korea, China) down. I must admit that Taiwan's situation is grotesquely convoluted (twisted): Taiwan's official name is the Republic of China, and though numerous attempts to change the name to "Taiwan," all have led to Chinese missiles. So of what use is it to force a countries name to be Republic of China? The One China Policy, an outdated policy that should have never even passed. By forcing Taiwan to be officially the Republic of China, Taiwan cannot be recognized as a country. Now I must agree with the statement "Names are powerful things." However, this does not mean the USA cannot do anything. If the USA could more clearly state its position on Taiwan... as in, whether it will prevent Chinese forces from invading, maybe this will give Taiwan the chance to officially become independent.

"A majority of Americans has expressed the view that the US should not oppose Taiwan's taking steps toward greater independence. A September 1999 poll by Mark Penn began by describing current US policy toward China, saying that it '"can be summed up as "no independence for Taiwan, and no use of force by China to compel Taiwan to rejoin mainland China."' An alternative policy was described as 'Since Taiwan has become a democracy, the US should support its moves toward independence, even if that provokes a confrontation with China.' Asked to choose between these policies, only 37% chose the one that rejected independence for Taiwan while 55% chose the one that said the US should be supportive of Taiwan's moves toward greater independence."[15]

Recently, however, failing economies have led to other countries sticking closer to China, an emerging market that hopes to bring back the world economy. However, it will not last long. Every emerging market grows fast at first; for you old guys remember when everyone was talking about investing in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan? In fact I would say China's boost has been crippled by this sudden economic slowdown. Despite this, some have taken to supporting China for lucrative (expedient) reasons. I am disgusted at this, as your duty as an American is to instigate and preserve democracy. Not to mention Taiwan makes a lot of your computer's silicon chips, and letting China attack Taiwan would lead to soaring computer prices.

The president of the US, Obama, stated: “The U.S. should reopen blocked channels of communication with Taiwan officials.” I do hope he will make the changes he promises. Taiwan and China cannot be ignored or waived, they are like a time bomb, ticking, and it will keep ticking until someone disables it. Meanwhile, China is continuously adding to the number of missile pointed at Taiwan...