Tensions are building between Taiwan and China as Taiwan makes strides towards independence. The election of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party struck some nerves in Beijing who says they, “certainly will not allow Taiwan to separate from the motherland.” Taiwan is actually situated in pretty geopolitically significant spot, especially if they were to gain their independence. An independent Taiwan would create all sorts of problems for Beijing, and they know it too, which is why they’re aiming for a, “peaceful reunification.” However, Taiwan being a democratic province would much rather break away from communist China than rejoin them. If Taiwan were to become independent, that would put another democratic republic right next to China. Between South Korea and, hypothetically, Taiwan, the Chinese people would be partially surrounded by democracy. This would cause uprisings and revolts as the Chinese people try to overthrow the communist regime after being witnesses to the democracy in surrounding countries (a similar effect as to if North and South Korea unified). Not only that, but independent Taiwan would serve as a big traffic cone in the middle of the East China Sea forcing China to get creative with their trade routes. Taiwan claims that the sudden resurfacing of their desire for independence comes from China’s military drills being run closer to their shores than usual. However, I don’t think anything will come of this in the immediate future because even Taipei is responding by saying they want to keep peace.
