Tension is expected to rise anew in the Taiwan straights, after the Islands ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP has formally declared in it’s party convention, to seek for the ‘Island China’ a status other than being “the rebel province of the mainland,” in a formal declaration, Sunday in Taipei, which is viewed as another step towards a formal Independence.

The Peoples Republic of China or PRC has stated repeatedly, “China will not accept a independent Taiwan.” In all official foreign ministry statements and declarations of the PRC policy towards any Independence declaration by Taiwan is tantamount to a declaration of war.
PRC: Taiwan in a “Dangerous Move”
Meanwhile China’s foreign ministry released a statement, “The Taiwan authorities are now obstinately clinging to the separatist course of ‘Taiwan independence’ and making every attempt to push for a referendum on applying for membership of the United Nations under the name Taiwan,” Yang said in a speech delivered at the general debate of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“This is another dangerous stop toward ‘de jure Taiwan independence’ taken by the Chen Shui-bian authorities,” he said. “If unchecked, this move will gravely endanger peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asia-Pacific region,” Yang stressed.
He said the Chinese government has been making every effort to promote the peaceful development of cross-straits relations and seek peaceful reunification. “We will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China in any name or in any way,” Yang said in the Chinese foreign ministry press release.

However, China’s Premier, speaking in Beijing said, “The central government will continue to work with Hong Kong and Macao people to ensure their prosperity and stability, to work with all the Taiwan compatriots to oppose and repulse separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” and advance the great cause of China’s peaceful reunification, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed Sunday, downplaying the ‘Independence resolution’ adopted in Taipei.

Military: “PRC Show of force” expected response in Taiwan straights
Military analysts meanwhile expect to see a show of strength in the Taiwan straights, and perhaps a deployment of the Peoples Liberation Navy in an exercise. But most experts hardly see this as a pretext for war.
Although, they warn that hardliners in Beijing increasingly have taken a belligerent view to any independence moves by Taiwan’s government calling the march declaration as an “insult to Beijing’s repeated overtures towards reconciliation.”

The move also comes as a senior US military commander in Asia has said that China’s military modernization has left the United States at a “disadvantage.” In an interview, Lieutenant General Bruce Wright said, “The Iraq War has reduced the availability to meet other contingencies,” Gen. Wright also pointed out that, “funds that might be used to replace or upgrade planes that at their operational limits.” The general also stated that, “China, is filling the skies with newer, Russian-made fighters, along with the domestically built J-10, a state-of-the-art fighter rolled out in January.”

The report also says China has “improved its ballistic missile defenses and its ability to take the fight into space — as it proved by shooting down an old weather satellite at an orbital height similar to that used by the US military satellites.” The US and China have increased military, diplomatic, and political engagement with Beijing. But General Wright noted, “The Chinese military buildup is disconcerting.”

Asked directly about the US ability to respond to crisis in the region the general says, “Are we in trouble? It depends on the scenario.” Wright said in the interview prior to the Taiwanese political declaration, “But you have to be concerned about the small number of our forces and the age of our forces.”

Declaration of Independence: ‘Local Politics with global implications’
Sunday’s resolution is just the latest move by the island’s ruling party and comes on the heels of attempts this week for more recognition in the UN and all efforts there are blocked by stated policies of the UN where Taiwan is not viewed as the ‘Republic of China’ – Taiwan’s official name for itself – but is given observer status as Chinese Taipei, very few countries have diplomatic relations with Taiwan formally.

Most countries, however, maintain trade ties through the unofficial Foreign Ministry of Taiwan – the Ministry of Trade and Cooperation or MECO. One exception being Palau in Micronesia, the ruling DPP has long stated the goal of a independent Taiwan, which was brought up in this latest resolution. In March of this year, on the DPP’s website goals and policy page states, “Taiwan is a nation with independent sovereignty, named as The Republic of China, in accordance with the current Constitution. Taiwan is not a part of The People’s Republic of China.”

Sunday’s resolution says plainly that, “Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are two nations that do not have mutual ownership, mutual reign, or mutual jurisdiction.” Further, the resolution declares, “Under the condition of independent sovereignty and national interest.” However, it does give concessions for the ties to the mainland, “based on similar culture and ancestry.”

The resolution also says any formal move towards independence will require a national referendum or vote ‘the direction of the special relations between the two nations and any decision to change the current status must have the consent of the people of Taiwan’.

Analysts: ‘Taiwan Political campaign to impact regional security’
The resolution bears clear an indication that this is more of a local political issue that is more in line with upcoming elections on Taiwan rather than a formal move to a declaration of independence for Taiwan.

Analysts see “Positioning for voters rather than setting a formal agenda.” The ruling party is facing internal problems, issues between candidates, and its founder being indicted over allegations of corruption.

On the other hand, the KMT, or Kuomintang, is currently led by presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou, a leading opposition figure and among moderates within Taiwan views ‘normal ties’ between the feuding China as part of its eventual goal of reunification.

Taipei’s China Post reported Sunday, “That the ruling party is re-invigorating its political rhetoric, seeking to become a independent Taiwan vs. Kuomintang’s hopeful Ma Ying-jeou more direct ties goals.”

In the past few years, public opinion surveys among most Taiwanese seem to have tilted towards a more recognized Taiwan, but still tied to China.

The issue is both historic and deep-rooted and goes beyond the PRC and its status as one of the world’s largest economies, something Taipei residents see partly as a source of pride.

Mainland China is still seen as home to many families n Taiwan. Kuomintang KMT party members often speak of reunification or two governments in one China.”

Reaction from the PRC has not come swiftly. For now it seems to be taking a wait and see attitude. China experts expect condemnation for the ruling DPP party from the PRC and more open support and endorsement for the more moderate political party members in the DPP and, ironically, in the CCP’s old rival, the KMT or Kuomintang.

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