Taiwan Independence

The Taiwanese Independence Movement seeks to officially establish the country as a sovereign Republic of Taiwan. It would do away with the current title, Republic of China (ROC). Taiwanese Independence is a popular issue in Taiwan itself, but is also hotly-debated in the international diplomatic community.

Former President Chen Shui-Bian announced plans in 2007 to rename numerous state-owned enterprises and include "Taiwan" in the name. The United States, which maintained close ties with Taiwan for years, warned that the renaming scheme would heighten political tension with the Chinese mainland. Taiwanese officials responded with a political distinction: official actions towards Taiwanese independence—which would understandably incite Chinese displeasure—are different from mere expressions of Taiwanese identity.Taipei Times: Name changes reflect increasing 'Taiwan identity' (February 12, 2007)

• Xinhua News: "Chinese Mainland to Help Snow-Hit Taiwan Compatriots" (January 30, 2008)
• Associated Press: "Taiwanese Question Independence Push" (January 20, 2008)
  • "Working (on the mainland) allows me to understand the greater China market and compete more successfully...it's better than staying in Taiwan"
• Reuters: "China Urges U.S. Help in Blocking Taiwan Vote" (January 17, 2008)
• Xinhua News: "Chinese FM Stresses Opposition to 'Taiwan Independence'" (January 17, 2008)
• Times: "Taiwan Voters Turn Against 'Independence' Leader" (January 14, 2008)WARNING: Pop-ups
• New York Times: "Taiwan Election May Ease Tensions With China" (January 14, 2008)
• Xinhua News: "China Urges U.S. Not to Send Wrong Signal to Taiwan" (January 14, 2008)
• BBC News: "US: Taiwan UN Bid 'Provocative'" (December 21, 2007)
  • It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage"
• China Post: "China Warns Japan Over Forum for ROC Independence Activists" (December 2, 2007)
• Xinhua News: "Mainland to Take Necessary Measures Against 'Taiwan Independence'" (September 31, 2007)
• China Post: "China: Taiwan Independence 'Doomed to Failure'" (October 12, 2007)