| We need to interpret what is meant by "Taiwan independence" here. Taiwan is currently not part of the PRC (and never has been part of it, actually), but it is what's left of the Republic of China. There are roughly 3 point of views and aims: 1. The PRC claims that the Republic of China ceased to exist in 1949 and that Taiwan is part of the PRC. 2. The ROC still exists but is currently only surviving in Taiwan. In this sense Taiwan is an independent state but it is still China (just not the PRC) and still ultimate goal is still to re-unify. 3. Taiwan is an independent country, not part of 'China' and not aiming to re-unify at all. Usually, "supporting Taiwan independence" means #3. The current state of play is #2 at least formally (Taiwan is independent but not #3). The PRC government's policy is obviously #1 but they know that the reality is #2 and that's the 'status quo', but it is #3 that is the casus belli for them. |