[The_Colonel]

> The way I see it, western countries and US should take a clear stand about Taiwanese statehood, and Taiwan needs to do it first on their own in order for the rest of the world to take a stand, as they legally still lay claim on the entirety of China (and beyond).

Isn't it ironic that you're accusing others of warmongering, but then suggest an action which would almost certainly provoke a war? (China has been pretty explicit about declaration of sovereignty being their red line)

[epolanski]

This doesn't change the fact that the Taiwanese status is de jure unresolved and will constitute a never ending basis for conflict and tension.

This tension can only be relieved by de jure integrating Taiwan in Chinese statehood under very huge degrees of autonomy, which no one, let alone Taiwanese people ever trust or by unilateral statehood declaration (which has no support internationally, least of all in US since Taiwan not declaring independent statehood is the entire basis of the US-Taiwan relations act).

[The_Colonel]

> This tension can only be relieved by de jure integrating Taiwan in Chinese statehood under very huge degrees of autonomy

You mean like the huge degrees of autonomy Hong Kong enjoys? That seems like such a huge strategic blunder by Xi. Instead of making it a positive example for Taiwan to follow, they made it a strong deterrent to a peaceful integration.

> which has no support internationally

It has no support internationally, because to get that support, you first need to declare sovereignty.

[epolanski]

HK is a bit different. It was a land lease and the Britons negotiated for a 50 year transition period before HK was fully assimilated.

I fully agree with your conclusion and spirit though which is why I said that Taiwan has no reason for any kind of trust for a peaceful integration with the PRC.

[wkat4242]

Which turned out more like a 5 year transition period. Let's not forget.