Illegal because they, Palau, dejure recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. A strong-arming tactic to get small (and not so small) countries to go along with the farce.
Ultimately, China will win... what they achieve geographically is another story. Taiwan is not going to revert voluntarily.
Yes. One could always complain about both, but yes there is a difference. The US doesn't try to punish companies that come from countries that merely acknowledge Iran as a sovereign nation. Nor does the US insist that anybody who claims Iran is not part of America be banned from doing business in America. I think there's certainly a difference.
Afaict, Taiwan is not violating any non proliferation treaty, isn’t vowing to destroy neighbors, isn’t funding tertorism in its neighborhood. It’s been the opposite, a good international citizen producing great minds. So, to me that makes a difference.
There's a huge difference between trying to isolate a country because it has political goals that you perceive as being detrimental to the whole world (however arguable that may be), and trying to isolate a country purely because it refuses to allow itself to be re-annexed by you.
Russia proved that it's quite possible to manipulate public opinion quite easily these days. Turning an enemy into an ally isn't all that hard with sustained propaganda and by supporting friendly politicians.
Contextually, I’m not sure how well the lessons of Crimea would apply to Taiwan. Taiwan is often considered to be the most fiercely democratic country in the world.
Edit: ahh - I understand - US sentiment in ‘16 election was your example, not the Crimea.
By whom? I'm no expert in British government, but last I checked it's a monarchy with a parliament, the "Lords" of which having been indirectly appointed by that same monarch (by way of the Prime Minister). That ain't exactly a new development, either.
Intermarriage between Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese accounts for 70% of all international marriage in Taiwan. Add to all the business that is done between the countries and how many of the top Taiwanese students are choosing to go China for college, it's only a matter of time that China will start to have a higher prestige.
Even amount my network, the best programmers and engineers have all moved to China to for work. The pay is easily 3-5x more.
> “We have tried everything we can to advertise and promote Palau in China’s tourism market. We spent more than USD$1 million on promoting Palau annually,” the airline’s statement said.
A big marketing mistake IMO. This is not the first time China has shown their teeth to impose the "One China Policy". Ignore them and hit on emerging markets, like India.
I wonder if the President has considered recognizing Taiwan. What would the ramifications be? Call the Chinese bluff. It's the right thing to do, and if the US will, I think others will follow.
In a statement, Hiroko Okada from the corporate communications department of Delta Air Lines attributed this decision to “unsustainable pressure,” including lower demand, in the Micronesia market.
and
The shrinking Japanese market that travels to the Pacific and Micronesia was prevalent and the service flights cuts were inevitably foreseen.
Concepcion said that MVA saw it with Delta’s pullout in Guam, United Airlines’ nearly 50-percent reduction in flights between Japan and Guam, and now with Delta’s flight suspension for Saipan and Palau.
At least, there's plenty of support for Leary's claim.
Sick of this shit quite frankly. Western nations need to grow some balls and start to resist this narrative. I was extremely pleased when Trump acknowledged Taiwanese congratulations. This was the right thing to do, and I was appalled when many criticised him for this. China is one of the most illiberal up and comers on the world stage.
Taiwan (or Republic of China) had chance to be separated from China before People's Republic of China took the China seat in UN. The government refused to change to Taiwan because both the government and people consider ROC as the China. Of course opinion and education changed especially young people's opinion, but legally Taiwan is still Republic of China unless they change their constitution. And their constitution claims whole China and Mongolia as their land. China of course, legally required to see Palau as illegal in order not to lose claim on Taiwan. At least it is not putting sanction to every country and company does business with Taiwan. There is nothing wrong with it. Similar to Cuba and Iran with US.
You are either mainland Chinese, cruel, or woefully uninformed (or all of the former).
Taiwan is not some rogue state with dubious alliances — like Cuba could be considered in the previous century — it is a democratic nation with a healthy economy and all the trappings of a modern nation-state; except for the official recognition which it can't get due to China's (the People's Republic (PRC) that is) bullying on the world stage.
The PRC does what it does because it can get away with it. That's a basic Realist attitude that works for them. The PRC won't likely release their claim on Taiwan any time soon, because of its economic/military aspirations in the South China Sea (cf. their dubious claims on the Paracel and Spratly Islands). The rest of the world won't upset the balance because of China's economic importance. It could if it wanted to, but that would require the US and the EU to present a common front on the issue (not very likely right now).
The conduct you refer to has little to do with the current political system at work in Taiwan. It is the legacy of a previous military dictatorship that has only a historical connection with the current system, and is a stance at odds with the current administration of Taiwan, elected by the Taiwanese people, with an openly pro-Taiwanese identity platform. The main reason Taiwan hasn't already renounced the claims you complain about at this point is that to do so could potentially enrage the PRC into military action against them at this point.
You're clearly a mainlander. You have the classic chip on your shoulder about past conduct which mainlanders always use to excuse the awful behaviour of their own regime.
I always find it ironic how much anti-Imperialist dogma spills out of people from a country that justifies expansionism on the grounds of even the most fleeting 'Chinese' imperial dynastic possession.
Ultimately, China will win... what they achieve geographically is another story. Taiwan is not going to revert voluntarily.