The Olympics is just China's way of swinging their power around and forcing the association to call us that. We rather participate than not.

As for formal declaration, why go through the trouble? Even China immigration thinks we are a different country. You know, Taiwanese are required to get a Visa to visit the mainland? Why if they think we are part of China?

We have basically been independent for 75 years now. It's like a couple that have been together for years and bought a house together. Why have a wedding anymore. Too much hassle.

1. Trade Relationships: While it's true that China is Taiwan’s largest trading partner and Taiwan is a significant partner for China, this relationship doesn't necessarily imply dependency or vulnerability for Taiwan. Taiwan specializes in high-value components like semiconductors, which are crucial for various global industries, thereby diversifying its economic engagements beyond China. Taiwan's strategic economic engagements with other major economies, including the U.S., Japan, and members of the EU, reduce its economic reliance on China.

2. Medical Technology and Patent Filings: China filing twice as many patents as Taiwan may indicate volume but doesn't inherently speak to the quality or global impact of these innovations. Taiwan has a well-established reputation in precision healthcare technologies and medical devices, often leading in specialized sectors that are competitive on a global scale. Moreover, the raw number of patents doesn’t directly translate to technological leadership.

3. Advancements in Semiconductors: Although China is making significant strides in semiconductor technology, Taiwan's leadership in this area is built on decades of development and deep integration into global supply chains. The technological gap, especially in advanced semiconductor manufacturing (like 5nm and 3nm technologies), is substantial and not easily bridged. U.S. efforts to limit China's access to cutting-edge technology further compound these challenges for China. Taiwan's Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) remains the world's most advanced chipmaker, underscoring its strategic value.

4. China’s Self-Reliance in Chip Technology: While China is working towards self-reliance in semiconductor technology, this is a long-term goal that faces multiple challenges, including sanctions and technological complexities. The Economist article points to a gradual reduction in reliance, but it does not imply that China has achieved parity with global leaders or can do without imports in the near term. The quality and performance of semiconductors are critical, and current global leaders like Taiwan and South Korea hold significant competitive advantages.

The crackers howl and mald every single time someone even so much as floats the idea of taking down the statues of slave-owning confederates; so of course nothing's happening to the Bandera statues here.

It’s complicated. Chiang Kai-shek was a historical adversary of the CPC and is viewed as a traitor and war criminal in the PRC. However, his nationalist party, the KMT, is alive and well in Taiwan. The CPC currently favors the KMT even though they were former adversaries because the KMT advocates for deepening economic ties to the PRC.

With this context I’m guessing the KMT’s primary opposition, the DPP, wants to highlight the KMT’s fascist legacy while also conflating the KMT’s and the CPC’s expression of Chinese nationalism. Making that false equivalency is easier because of the KMT’s interest in building stronger economic ties with the mainland.

Western media usually frames issues from the DPP’s perspective which would explain the commentary in the article.

also a deeply unpopular politician on the mainland so it's also a show of good faith

Removing his statues could be seen as white-washing the KMT's history, but I doubt anyone in the PRC is actually mad about it like the article claims.

That makes some sense, thanks.