[laluser]

Exactly. China has held this position for a long time. Chip plant manufacturing is a recent development. China will eventually catch up with their own manufacturing in a decade or so. They don't care about the immediate short-term - they think in decades.

[wordofx]

Not a position they held until after ROC went to Taiwan. Then they changed their tune. Remember. PRC advocated for Taiwan independence and considered Taiwan an independent nation until around 1940s.

[_t9ow]

Taiwan today has exactly the same territorial claims as China does -- in fact, Taiwan's are more expansive, since they use the eleven-dash line instead of the nine-dash line. The difference is that Taiwan has little to no ability to project force.

(My comment should not be read as an endorsement of the CCP's willingness to force Taiwan into a reunification.)

[wordofx]

While that is true. The people of Taiwan and the government don’t care to make claims on China. The island literally just wants to live their life. But if they tried to change their constitution and remove any claim it would be seen as an “attempt” at independence and cause China to throw a hissy fit.

Pointing this out always looks like endorsement of the CPC as it’s always a point that is pointed out as justification to claim Taiwan is part of China.

[_t9ow]

Just to be 100% clear: I think the issue of Taiwanese independence should be fully determined by Taiwanese voters in a free and fair referendum without foreign interference -- not from the US, not from China, and not from anyone else.

My previous comment was meant to provide some context. It was not an endorsement of China's stance.

[wordofx]

I 100% agree.