Taiwan and China - Let's Keep Them Trading and Talking Shall We?

It wasn't too long ago that Gates stated that Russian relationships when it came to Iran were schizophrenic, and I'm sure that got a laugh out of everyone, and the reality is, it is true. Of course, it's not any more schizophrenic than foreign relations when it comes to China and Taiwan. Recently they announced a trade deal, but three months the prior China was angry at the United States for selling a missile defense system to Taiwan.

The reality is China shouldn't be concerned if it has only good intentions towards Taiwan, and every nation has the right to protect itself. The reunification of Taiwan with mainland China is possible in the future, although Taiwan is enjoying its freedom, and its economic growth. An interesting article to read is; "Taiwan and China Reached Trade Deal," which was in the Wall Street Journal and written by Ting I. Tsai.

You see, China has a choice, it can get along with its neighbors, engage in free trade, or it can expect hostility and problematic foreign relations with its neighbors. It's entirely their choice. Now then, as long as we are on this topic, it makes sense for Taiwan to play; "tough love" when it comes to Mainland China. Thus, it is my contention that Taiwan needs to not only buy Defensive Weapons to protect herself, but also strong offensive weapons.

When the US agreed to sell 6.4 Billion for a missile defense system, the reaction from China was quite telling. Why would they care if they were not planning on attacking or taking back Taiwan by force, or using the Sun Tzu strategic strength without a fight? Obviously, they have ill-intentions. Thus, Karl von Clausewitz has advice on pre-emption, so if things really heat up, Taiwan needs to power up in case that comes to be their best option.

Therefore, I highly recommend that Taiwan buy 12.8 Billion (yes, double) in offensive strategic OMG intense futuristic weaponry to repel or pre-empt the inevitable. Trust no one, only trust strength.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net. Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

Taiwan Shall be Independent and Sovereign - An Economic Point of View

In 1949, on losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China, the Kuomintang ruling clique, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated from Mainland China and moved the ROC government to Taipei, Taiwan's largest city, and at the same time, he was continuing to claim sovereignty over all of China and Greater Mongolia. On the mainland, the victorious Communists established the People's Republic of China, claiming to be the sold representative of China including Taiwan and portraying the ROC government on Taiwan as an illegitimate entity. This is the story of confrontation between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China over Taiwan's sovereignty.

Until this very modern time, the confrontation over sovereignty between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan is still one of the hottest in the international news. Shall Taiwan be sovereign? By siding with "economic" point of view, the author of this article does support Taiwan's sovereignty.

For the past 50 years, Taiwan has shockingly grown from a poor country in the region into one of the most prosperous societies in the world. In 1952, Taiwan's per capita GDP was a mere $1,096. In 2005, Taiwan was the world's 19th-largest economy and 16th-largest trading nation. As of July 2006 it had the fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves in the world. And by the year 2006, Taiwan's per capita GDP had swelled to $16,000 and all foreign trade topped $427 billion and all foreign reserve exchanges accumulated to be $266 billion.

Authoritative annual surveys of the world's economies-including those conducted by the World Economic Forum, Business Environment Risk Intelligence, International Institute for Management Development and Economist Intelligence Unit-have consistently ranked Taiwan among the world's top nations with respect to potential for long-term economic growth and technological development. As of the end of the second quarter of 2006, Taiwan led in production of large-sized LCD panels, with its global share of unit shipments exceeding 45 percent.

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report 2005 - 2006 :" With no significant natural resources, [Taiwan] has built its competitive advantage on its human capital, creating a model which other countries would do well to follow... ...Taiwan demonstrates the advantages that long-term strategic vision combined with adaptive management can confer."

According to the Index of Economic Freedom [2007 assessment]: "Taiwan's economy is 71.1 percent free, which makes it the world's 26th freest economy and it is ranked 6th out of 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and its overall score is much higher than the regional average.

Taiwanhas high levels of investment freedom, trade freedom, property rights, fiscal freedom, freedom from corruption, and freedom from government. The average tariff rate, inflation rate, and level of corruption are all low. Although Taiwan's personal income tax is high, the corporate tax rate is moderate, and overall tax revenue is low as a percentage of GDP. Government spending is similarly low. Taiwan's investment climate is healthy, and 100 percent foreign ownership is permitted in most sectors. Property rights are protected by the judiciary, although there are minor problems with case delays and corruption associated with organized crime.

These are just some of the positive economic indications of Taiwan, in other areas; human and civil rights, legal and political system, and other political state of affairs; Taiwan is too good to be under the supervision of political and economic framework of mainland China, which is a Maoist-communist country, bearing a huge gap between the rich and the poor, high-profile corruption, and mammoth record of human rights abuses, a well as other highly negative international reputations.

To be short and precise, I do totally support Taiwan's sovereignty, so that this country can strive to the fullest as it deserves.

Vicheka Lay is the Assistant Managing Director of Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society [a Canadian NGO registered in the Province of Alberta, Canada], and a freelance translator for a company in Indonesia. Also, he is currently an LL.M candidate, with specialization in International Law. Vicheka Lay is also an "expert blogger" for the Center for International Governance Innovation, based in Ontario, Canada.

Questions on Cambodian laws, business, politics, and state of affairs? Email me: vichekalay@yahoo.com

Taiwan Shall be Independent and Sovereign - An Economic Point of View

In 1949, on losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China, the Kuomintang ruling clique, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated from Mainland China and moved the ROC government to Taipei, Taiwan's largest city, and at the same time, he was continuing to claim sovereignty over all of China and Greater Mongolia. On the mainland, the victorious Communists established the People's Republic of China, claiming to be the sold representative of China including Taiwan and portraying the ROC government on Taiwan as an illegitimate entity. This is the story of confrontation between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China over Taiwan's sovereignty.

Until this very modern time, the confrontation over sovereignty between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan is still one of the hottest in the international news. Shall Taiwan be sovereign? By siding with "economic" point of view, the author of this article does support Taiwan's sovereignty.

For the past 50 years, Taiwan has shockingly grown from a poor country in the region into one of the most prosperous societies in the world. In 1952, Taiwan's per capita GDP was a mere $1,096. In 2005, Taiwan was the world's 19th-largest economy and 16th-largest trading nation. As of July 2006 it had the fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves in the world. And by the year 2006, Taiwan's per capita GDP had swelled to $16,000 and all foreign trade topped $427 billion and all foreign reserve exchanges accumulated to be $266 billion.

Authoritative annual surveys of the world's economies-including those conducted by the World Economic Forum, Business Environment Risk Intelligence, International Institute for Management Development and Economist Intelligence Unit-have consistently ranked Taiwan among the world's top nations with respect to potential for long-term economic growth and technological development. As of the end of the second quarter of 2006, Taiwan led in production of large-sized LCD panels, with its global share of unit shipments exceeding 45 percent.

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report 2005 - 2006 :" With no significant natural resources, [Taiwan] has built its competitive advantage on its human capital, creating a model which other countries would do well to follow... ...Taiwan demonstrates the advantages that long-term strategic vision combined with adaptive management can confer."

According to the Index of Economic Freedom [2007 assessment]: "Taiwan's economy is 71.1 percent free, which makes it the world's 26th freest economy and it is ranked 6th out of 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and its overall score is much higher than the regional average.

Taiwanhas high levels of investment freedom, trade freedom, property rights, fiscal freedom, freedom from corruption, and freedom from government. The average tariff rate, inflation rate, and level of corruption are all low. Although Taiwan's personal income tax is high, the corporate tax rate is moderate, and overall tax revenue is low as a percentage of GDP. Government spending is similarly low. Taiwan's investment climate is healthy, and 100 percent foreign ownership is permitted in most sectors. Property rights are protected by the judiciary, although there are minor problems with case delays and corruption associated with organized crime.

These are just some of the positive economic indications of Taiwan, in other areas; human and civil rights, legal and political system, and other political state of affairs; Taiwan is too good to be under the supervision of political and economic framework of mainland China, which is a Maoist-communist country, bearing a huge gap between the rich and the poor, high-profile corruption, and mammoth record of human rights abuses, a well as other highly negative international reputations.

To be short and precise, I do totally support Taiwan's sovereignty, so that this country can strive to the fullest as it deserves.

Vicheka Lay is the Assistant Managing Director of Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society [a Canadian NGO registered in the Province of Alberta, Canada], and a freelance translator for a company in Indonesia. Also, he is currently an LL.M candidate, with specialization in International Law. Vicheka Lay is also an "expert blogger" for the Center for International Governance Innovation, based in Ontario, Canada.

Questions on Cambodian laws, business, politics, and state of affairs? Email me: vichekalay@yahoo.com