Политология/Политическая конфликтология

 

 

Студент Kишкина Н. Н.

Западно-Казахстанский инженерно-гуманитарный  Университет

 

Article on the theme: “Taiwan Issue: Whether there was a Division of the Great Civilization?”

 

Why is one of the ancient civilizations on the way of its development having never been stopped or destroyed in the state of disagreement about its legal successor (assignee)? Is Communist or Kuomintang China the very continuation of the Chinese Civilization that exists over 5,000 years?

Studying the issue you might face the two absolutely different points of view from both “inside” and “outside”. There are a lot of questions rather than answers when you have more in-depth consideration of the topic. It is impossible to see the fact of division and when it happened. It seemed for the first time that there was an ordinary confrontation of ideologies and systems which can be frequently seen in the contemporary world in case of a nation division based on religion or politically motivated. However, gaining insight into the topic you see the cultural and even civilization differences. There is no precise answer to the question “Whether there was a division of the Chinese Civilization yet in the middle of XX century?” or “Is it just the conflict of interest (political, personal, etc)?” And the most important question is following: “Are Mainland China and Taiwan really so far apart as it seems?” or” Is it a sharp movement of one and a slow movement of another which meet at the same point?”

Nowadays Taiwan is one of the examples of economic miracle and one of the most powerful economies in South-Eastern Asia. Made a sharp jock in the 80s, without any difficulties had been passing crisis of 1997-1999, today's GDP at PPP Taiwan ranks 20th position in the world, this is an excellent result for such a small state with a minimal amount of natural resources. Taiwan has an export-oriented economy, which is an important component in the global electronics industry chain [1]. Radio details and personal computers are two main products of Taiwan informational technology industry [2]. Overall, Taiwan is one of the most developed regions in Asia, the so-called "Four Asian Tigers", along with South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.

In turn, the Chinese mainland, under the control of the Communist Party of China is a great power, as well as a candidate for superpower. Since December 2014 is the first economy in the world by GDP (PPP) [3], the world leader in the production of most types of industrial production, including the production of cars and consumer demand for them, to all other, is the world's largest exporter (the "world factory ").

In general, the economic situation in both regions is high enough, and is not, a so-called stumbling stone in improving relationships. Moreover, in recent decades China is the main trading partner of Taiwan. All this point out to the establishment of relations between the parties and gives a positive prediction for further cooperation.

As for the political situation, it is known from history, that in 1949 the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong had took control of mainland China and founded the People's Republic of China. In the same year the Government of the Republic of China, led by Chan Kai-shek with the soldiers and two million refugees retreated to the island of Taiwan. Chiang Kai-shek declared Taipei the provisional capital and since then considered his government legitimate authority throughout China, although real power was not. Until 1971, the Republic of China recognized by the UN as legitimate government of China. October 25, 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution № 2758 [4]. In accordance with that, the right of China to the UN moved from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of China, including the permanent seat of the UN Security Council. [5]

In the 1970s, Taiwan Republic of China and the People's Republic of China entered on the path of serious reforms. In the case of Taiwan, it was the democratic reforms, which aimed at establishing a multiparty system and the liberalization of the economy. China had gone the other way, its were strengthening the dictatorship of the Communist Party, nationalization of the economy and the implementation of the "cultural revolution" [6].

This policy was subsequently convicted by came to power after the overthrow of the "Gang of Four" Deng Xiaoping.The III Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPC 11th convocation (December 1978) proclaimed the policy of the socialist market economy with a combination of two systems: planning and distribution and the market for mass attraction of foreign investment, greater economic independence of enterprises, the introduction of household responsibility in rural areas, reducing the share of public sector in the economy, the opening of free economic zones, the overcoming poverty, the development of science and technology. During power of Deng Xiaoping, foreign policy of the country, in contrast to the era of Mao, had become passive. In the end of 80s begin of 90s, China had managed to completely remove power to ensure the population problem, to develop a high GDP growth and industrial production, to raise the standard of living of the people. [7]. Reforms successfully continuing to the present time, the receivers of Deng Xiaoping - Jiang Zemin (since 1993), Hu Jintao (2002), Xi Jinping (since 2012).

At present, the People's Republic of China - is a unitary republic, socialist state of the people's democratic dictatorship. [8] The main law of the state is the constitution adopted in 1982. The highest organ of state authority - unicameral National People's Congress (NPC), made up of 2,979 deputies elected regional assemblies of People's Representatives for a term of 5 years. Sessions NPC convened on an annual basis. Between sessions of the NPC exercises the powers of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

The election of deputies shall be allowed only from the Communist Party of China and the eight so-called democratic parties of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). [9] Proper legal authorities acting in the territory of special administrative regions the Hong Kong and Macau [10].

Whereas, Taiwan is  a democratic state with limited diplomatic recognition and control only Taiwan and its surrounding islands. The main parties - the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party. Secondary - The new party (appeared in 1993 as a result of the split KMT), People First Party. In total there are about 80 party groups and associations [11].

Throughout history of the solution of the Taiwan issue, China has been used the formulation "one China-two systems", while the ratio of Taiwan's had been varied depending on the governing parties. Under the rule of the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan has expressed its stance of "one China, one Taiwan", but with the return of KuoMingtang's leader, in February 2006, during a visit to Europe, Ma Ying-jeou said that although he and his party Kuomintang support gradual unification with China, however, respects the opinion of the Taiwan citizens, and that he understands that some of them are choosing independence. [12] And in an interview " Newsweek International," in December 2005, he stated that "for our party the ultimate goal of the union, but we do not have a time frame." He has also repeatedly stressed that the KMT continues to advocate for the status quo, and said that his party supports the one-China policy. The meeting of Ma Ying-jeou and Xi Jinping, held in Singapore in November 2015 confirmed that [13].

Looking at this problem from the perspective of social and cultural relations of the inhabitants of regions, of course, stands out Taiwanese's desire for independence and  separate self-determination. An example of this is the fact, that the Taiwanese do not consider themselves Chinese, moreover, expresses dissatisfaction with this treatment. As well Taiwanese displeased with the policies of the PRC in the simplification of Chinese writing, and today, Taiwan is the only one region where is used complete traditional Chinese hieroglyphics. By that, considering themself  a true successor of the traditions of the famous hieroglyphic writing. Of course, the level of education of Taiwanese is much higher than in mainland China, the main part has a higher education, most often with a technical bias. Mainland China today has not the results, but work is being done, and taking into account that the population of mainland China's more than 1.3 billion people, which is several times higher than the 23 million people of Taiwan, the Chinese government has reached very good results in literacy program.

As for the Chinese people in China, they are related to Taiwan, as the prodigal son, who lost in this world, which will soon, no doubt, will come back to the fold.

In this regard, necessary steps must be taken to establish friendly relations between the regions. Today, the residents of countries to visit each other must obtain a visa, which is one of the barriers to the establishment of cultural relations. Of course, Rome was not built in a day, and the inhabitants of the regions have yet to overcome a lot of prejudice and prejudgment at the expense of each other. For about 50 years, when the relationship passed from the dangers of military attack to signing the consensus, it has been  very difficult to forget suddenly all grudges and take a step towards unification. For a long period of time, while in the "cold war" state, it is difficult for a couple of decades to reach a common agreement and to reset all the shackles that gave rise to many contradictions and misunderstandings, and in other times and bitter disappointments, yet on the basis of recent events, it must be concluded that the dialogue is adjusted, there is work to rapprochement. But on the other hand, what is bad in desire of the Taiwanese to self-determination, independence?  Is it possible that this inspired them to carry out such a huge economic, cultural and technological developments? Residents of Taiwan have  already proved themselves and the world that they are completely independent, and, moreover, are sufficiently strong players in the international arena.

I, for one, consider that Taiwan people can solve the Taiwan issue and choose for themselves a decent life, satisfying all their needs and protecting their interests. Will the Taiwan issue be solved by combining or by Taiwanese independence, and will it gain the coveted recognition, it's all a matter of time and decision of the people, the nation, which was divided. It is almost impossible, after so many years of division to unite and become one whole. Responding to the question that has been asked at the beginning of the article, whether the Chinese civilization is divided, I would like to note that it was not divided. It is very difficult to cross 5000 years over a short period of time like 65 years, but still, each branch has chosen the way of development. Sun Yat-sen's China went its own way, communist China its own, it does not indicate a division or a rejection of the values ​​that a nation has nurtured and retained for a huge period of time. All the best manifestations of Chinese civilization are present, as well as on the mainland and on the islands. Is not that a worthy continuation of a great civilization, the great idea of ​​the great people to live in dignity, prosperity and development?

 

References:

 

1)         Timothy J. Sturgeon, Momoko Kawakami. Global value chains in the electronics industry. World Bank (september 2010).

2)         Tain-Jy Chen, Ying-Hua Ku. The development of Taiwan's personal computer industry (may 2002).

3)         Tim Worstall. China's Now The World Number One Economy And It Doesn't Matter A Darn (англ.). Forbes (7 December 2014).

4)         http://www.studfiles.ru/preview/2861567/ Современная экономика Китая: общая характеристика

5)Официальная документация ООН, Текст Резолюции ГА ООН 2758 (XXVI)

6) https://sites.google.com/site/countryk1411/kitaj-karnauhova/istoria-vozniknovenia-strany / История возникновения страны

7) http://argnews.lookmy.info/index.php?id=3870&newsid=71013&show=news/ В чем кроется феномен Китая? — Не тот там коммунизм

8 )http://www.gmu-countries.ru/asia/china/konstituciya.html/ Конституция

9) http://mybiblioteka.su/tom2/7-29459.html/ Китайская Народная Республика

10) http://ru.knowledgr.com/00044495/ОднаСтранаДвеСистемы/ Одна страна, две системы

11) http://info-country.ru/kitaiskaya_respublika_obshaya_informaciya_o_strane-1187.html / Китайская Республика - Общая информация о стране

12) http://www.express-k.kz/news/?ELEMENT_ID=58835/Председатель КНР и глава администрации Тайваня встречаются в Сингапуре впервые за 66 лет

13) http://ria.ru/world/20151107/1315503627.html/ Историческая встреча руководителей КНР и Тайваня проходит в Сингапуре