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Shen: The Taiwanese election is close approaching. Here is a bit of information in case you are curious.
After World War II, Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party against Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalist KMT. The CCP won, and the KMT fled to Taiwan to establish the Republic of China in Taiwan, while the CCP established the People's Republic of China on the Mainland.
Ironically, today the KMT is seen as the more pro-China Party. It opposes the incumbent DPP, which is more hostile to the CCP. I will spare you the convoluted history that led to this outcome.
This is the key issue. One side argues that Taiwan must remain independent and democratic. The other side says peace is most important, and we would prosper with better ties to China.
Taiwan has been under extreme pressure, with many nations' militaries constantly posturing near the island, especially China. And there are active and pervasive information campaigns trying to tip the election.
I believe we are entering a period of increased danger. If the DPP wins, China may seek opportunities to punish Taiwan.
Some argue the global order is reaching a breaking point as the Ukraine conflict has been joined by instability in the Middle East. Today, the United States and its allies are conducting airstrikes into Yemen.
Besides the Taiwanese election, the election in the United States is already becoming contentious. Would China gamble on Western overextension and division providing a window for opportunism? It would be risky to take action with a largely untested military.
Do they feel lucky?
#china #taiwan #election #conflict
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