The writing's on the wall for wary Taiwan

Michael Tsai (???) points to a large map on the wall of his office in Taiwan's national defense ministry. It is dotted with red symbols representing dozens of Chinese missile, air and naval bases within easy shooting range of the capital, Taipei, and other major Taiwanese cities.

Whatever Beijing may say about its peaceful intentions, Tsai suggests, this map illustrates the reality -- and the daunting scale -- of the military threat that lurks 160km to the west, across the treacherous waters of the Taiwan Strait.

As deputy defense minister, it is Tsai's job, and that of the 300,000 members of the Taiwanese armed forces, to monitor China's 2.1 million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) "every day, every hour."

But with China's military spending increasing by double digits each year, the task of deterrence is growing harder.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/04/02/2003248785

the 'nationalist' who ruled china at time the communists took over were driven out and fled to taiwan, where US power protected them (the korean war started shortly after that)...the problem is that 'legal authority' resides with the beijeing government in theory, but the Chinese have an impossible situ where the taiwan government also claims authority in mainland china, and that's a fact!
The 'greatest' generation were a buncha fools...out of racism, sexism, greed, and bullyboy ethics, they demonised a political philosophy (communism) regardless of any truth or factual insights or so on...they just shut off the communist countries, fought them until today they got their way...now taiwan must be given to china, and them goofy old 'greatest generation' assholes will all be drooling into their bibs as this mess is resolved...fukking idiots! it wasn't as if they never knew it...

of "Christian values" trumping rational foreign policy?

Read this obit on Chiang Kai-Shek's widow:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/24/world/main579764.shtml

In the 1950s there were three prominent Asian leaders who were also Christians -- Taiwan's Chiang Kai-shek (???), South Korea's Syngman Rhee and South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem. This excellent book tells the story of how the US became involved so deeply in supporting the last of these men.

But before looking at what it has to say about him, it's important to explain just what is Seth Jacobs' ruling theory.

Jacobs believes that religion played a far greater part in American involvement in Vietnam's affairs than has hitherto been realized. Asia was perceived by the policy-makers on Capitol Hill as an area about to be taken over by atheists, Communists receiving their orders from the godless citadel of Moscow.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2005/03/06/2003225763

Formosa, renamed to Taiwan by themselves, are the ones who claim China. Formosans/Taiwananese make no claim to China. In my opinion, President Chen should extradite the KMT back to China to face charges and the story is over. And return the art the KMT looted from China too.

Has anyone ever read/heard any Media Whore or any person on a forum give one reason why China has a right to Taiwan? Or are Americans not educated enough to think clearly and ask questions of what they see and hear in the media? Don't the world Media Whore have enough education to investigate a story and do nothing but print, "Taiwan and China split in 1949"? Or is the a world power elite corruption organization dictating to media sources what to say?

i fear this thing must play out along the 'path of least resistance' lines...damn...if a honourable media would have hammered away at the truth and made it ring out, then maybe these subtleties could be mulled over by pros who then negotiate some solution, but instead it's one maddened herd charging at another! damn!
i hope the Taiwanese will refute the KMT, and that China has enough on its plate to bother with the rest once face is saved(?) but again, US mediawhores so devoted to bushmush that meanwhile the world pass by and one day two immoveable objects will start to collide w/out anyone able to do anything!

LEGACY: The man who led the shattered remnants of the Chinese Nationalist Party's forces to Taiwan after their defeat by the Communists will be buried here after all
By Chang Yun-ping and Jimmy Chuang
STAFF REPORTERS
Friday, Jul 09, 2004,Page 1

The bodies of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek (???) and his son and successor, former president Chiang Ching-kuo (???), which lie embalmed in temporary mausoleums in Taoyuan County, will finally be buried after Chiang's descendants asked the government to bury the bodies of the two presidents in a military cemetery in northern Taiwan.

Generalissimo Chiang fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Civil War against the Chinese Community Party. Chiang died in 1975. The burial of Chiang and his son in Taiwan mark the Chiang family's recognition that the "Republic of China" military could never retake China.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/07/09/2003178228

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (???) led a delegation on a visit to China last week, opening a new chapter after a standoff of more than half a century between his party and the Chinese Community Party (CCP). Some people viewed this turning point with a tolerant heart, believing that the historical grudges and hatred between the two parties had been turned into grudges and hatred between China and Taiwan, which is not good for the people of this country. A reconciliation with the other side of the Taiwan Strait through Chiang's trip is "not so bad," they said.

However, the KMT's China trip may cause irreparable harm to Taiwan. In the face of China's threats, Taiwan's situation has always been difficult. In standing up against the Chinese giant, both the ruling and opposition camps must remain on high alert and be extremely cautious to ensure the safety of the nation. The KMT has chosen to refuse to cooperate or negotiate with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), while wishfully pining for "a third cooperation between the KMT and the CCP." The refusal to reconcile within Taiwan has caused the rivalry between the opposition and ruling camps to continue. That the KMT has opted to shake hands with the enemy is beyond comprehension.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/04/03/2003248939