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I'm wondering whether the United States (and Japan) would go to war with China over Taiwan's independence.
Back during the Clinton years, China had to go through a lot of diplomacy to ensure that both peace was kept and Taiwan was autonomous but not considered independent. Today, the roles have reversed: the US must ensure that Taiwan is autonomous but must make sure that the Chinese don't become overly agressive in its attempts to reunify.
Only a few years ago, when Clinton sent two Carriers to the Taiwan Straights, Beijing had to listen. Now, such is not the case: two carriers would be nothing to the quickly-improving state of the Chinese military.
Now, thanks to China's new law prohibiting secession, the fight for Taiwan seems lost to the West, especially while concerned with North Korea, talks with which obviously include China.
Back during the Clinton years, China had to go through a lot of diplomacy to ensure that both peace was kept and Taiwan was autonomous but not considered independent. Today, the roles have reversed: the US must ensure that Taiwan is autonomous but must make sure that the Chinese don't become overly agressive in its attempts to reunify.
Only a few years ago, when Clinton sent two Carriers to the Taiwan Straights, Beijing had to listen. Now, such is not the case: two carriers would be nothing to the quickly-improving state of the Chinese military.
Now, thanks to China's new law prohibiting secession, the fight for Taiwan seems lost to the West, especially while concerned with North Korea, talks with which obviously include China.
HONG KONG, China -- Thousands of people in Taiwan have taken to the streets to protest China's planned anti-secession law.
About 15,000 people marched in the southern port city of Kaohsiung on Sunday to denounce the measure, which is expected to be passed by China's National People's Congress this week.
Many in Taiwan fear the law will strengthen Beijing's hand in using military force to bring about reunification.
The same day, China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing warned Japan and the United States against interfering in China's internal matters, especially when it came to Taiwan.
"Any practice of putting Taiwan directly or indirectly into the scope of Japan-U.S. security cooperation constitutes an encroachment on China's sovereignty and interference in internal affairs," Reuters quoted Li as telling a news conference on Sunday.
Last month both Japan and the United States listed security in the Taiwan Strait as a common concern.
One day after reiterating that China would never allow Taiwan's independence, Li said on day two of the annual session of parliament there was no need to jump to conclusions over the anti-secession bill.
Some people worry the bill will give China a legal basis to take military action against Taiwan if the island moves towards independence, and are calling it a "war preparation" bill.
China has considered Taiwan a renegade province since communist forces drove nationalists from the mainland in 1949, and has repeatedly threatened to use military power against the island if it declares independence.
The measure has triggered vast opposition in Taiwan, with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian recently saying it is a "dark cloud" hanging over relations between the island and mainland China.
Speculation is swirling about the content of the bill, to be unveiled Tuesday.
China has insisted the aim of the bill is peaceful unification, but has said unequivocally that a secession attempt by Taiwan will not be tolerated.
The other primary international concern is North Korea's nuclear policy.
China says its goal is a Korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons and it is urging renewed six-party talks in a bid to achieve that.
North Korea announced last month that it had built nuclear weapons and would boycott the talks indefinitely.
Besides North Korea, the nations involved are the United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia.
Asked whether China would impose sanctions if North Korea continued to refuse to participate in the talks, Li refused to respond directly.
The task of re-igniting the talks is up to the two major sovereign nations -- the United States and North Korea, he said.
It is up to them "to increase their mutual trust and understanding," Li added.
About 15,000 people marched in the southern port city of Kaohsiung on Sunday to denounce the measure, which is expected to be passed by China's National People's Congress this week.
Many in Taiwan fear the law will strengthen Beijing's hand in using military force to bring about reunification.
The same day, China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing warned Japan and the United States against interfering in China's internal matters, especially when it came to Taiwan.
"Any practice of putting Taiwan directly or indirectly into the scope of Japan-U.S. security cooperation constitutes an encroachment on China's sovereignty and interference in internal affairs," Reuters quoted Li as telling a news conference on Sunday.
Last month both Japan and the United States listed security in the Taiwan Strait as a common concern.
One day after reiterating that China would never allow Taiwan's independence, Li said on day two of the annual session of parliament there was no need to jump to conclusions over the anti-secession bill.
Some people worry the bill will give China a legal basis to take military action against Taiwan if the island moves towards independence, and are calling it a "war preparation" bill.
China has considered Taiwan a renegade province since communist forces drove nationalists from the mainland in 1949, and has repeatedly threatened to use military power against the island if it declares independence.
The measure has triggered vast opposition in Taiwan, with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian recently saying it is a "dark cloud" hanging over relations between the island and mainland China.
Speculation is swirling about the content of the bill, to be unveiled Tuesday.
China has insisted the aim of the bill is peaceful unification, but has said unequivocally that a secession attempt by Taiwan will not be tolerated.
The other primary international concern is North Korea's nuclear policy.
China says its goal is a Korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons and it is urging renewed six-party talks in a bid to achieve that.
North Korea announced last month that it had built nuclear weapons and would boycott the talks indefinitely.
Besides North Korea, the nations involved are the United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia.
Asked whether China would impose sanctions if North Korea continued to refuse to participate in the talks, Li refused to respond directly.
The task of re-igniting the talks is up to the two major sovereign nations -- the United States and North Korea, he said.
It is up to them "to increase their mutual trust and understanding," Li added.
Smiley 
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