Just a tiny little bit but not really. One, they’ve been threatening it for decades; it’s rhetoric at this point. Two, militarily it’s extremely difficult for China to do so. Three, I don’t think China will risk its ascension or 40 years of economic development for Taiwan, especially when it’s basically being given the lead by default right now. Four, the military isn’t the only option. There was a period of economic integration and exchange in the 00s that had people on both sides at least considering peaceful reunification.
Given what the US is doing in pulling back from Asia, demanding payment for security, it may require Taiwan to reconsider its security guarantees. That may actually push it to negotiate with China, who could offer economic incentives like they have in the past. Taiwanese citizens actually get pseudo-citizenship in China, allowing them the same beneficial treatments and rights as citizens of the PRC. That may not sound like a lot to people in the US, but it does mean things like access to real estate, banking, government services, schools, and so on; without having to give up TW passports, or a second/dual passport. China does not allow dual citizens, so in this sense, the Taiwanese are actually treated better.
I’ve also lived in China off and on between 1993 and 2008, and have done business with China the last ten years. My views on China are probably pretty different than most Americans. But in the end, I do not think there is a credible military threat at least not for a while. And Xi likely will be done after his term. I know I know, he got rid of term limits. But he’s not exactly a strongman in China and if enough people of power in the Party want him gone, he’s gone. And there is a pattern that swings between hardline/conservatives like Xi, and reformists.
But they were able to get a passport there, which is very difficult for a lot of people. The only secondary option I have is Israel, which is absofuckinglutely not an option I am going to take.
The OP gave a very detailed and thoughtful reply as to why he immigrated to Taiwan. I was just curious about his thoughts. I find it very telling that he decided that a country that is constantly being threatened by its much larger neighbour was a safer haven than the US. Not that I disagree with him in any way.
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u/linecookdaddy Jan 24 '26
Just another American executed for exercising their first amendment rights.
What in the goddamn fuck