“China has a principle; Taiwan is part of China,” he said. This fact is so much the case that China does not trade with anyone that recognizes Taiwan as its own country, he said. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a country. However, he explained, the U.S. provides Taiwan with weapons and other materials for defense. Although Taiwan wishes to be its own country independent of China, it exports 45 percent of its gross domestic product there, Ho said. Taiwan’s economy is dependent on China. Taiwan’s geographic position also doesn’t help its plight, he said.
“Our position is a security issue for us,” Ho said.
Around 140 miles away, China has about 1,500 short-range missiles pointed at Taiwan, he said.
“The U.S. is very lucky for their oceans,” Ho said.
Taiwan is in a tough spot. But this is no reason for despair.
Finland was in a tough spot, too, next to Russia. But by being tough SOBs willing to fight for every inch of snow and taking advantage of their remote location, preserved their independence despite losing a war to Russia in 1939-1940 until the tide of Soviet power receded. Now they make nice phones for the West and look our way.
Poland is also next to Russia. But they didn't have the remoteness of Finland to leverage. No, Poland is flat. And behind Poland as they looked east at Russia? Well, there was Germany, which was just as eager to gobble them up. Plus small neighbors happy to join in the fun of picking apart Poland rather than be an alternate target. Now, Poland at least has America as a friend, which gives them hope they can remain independent as they watch Germany get chummy with Russia to guarantee their winter heating fuel.
So Taiwan is close to China, and China is big. What would Poland have given for 100 miles of ocean between themselves and their Russian and German neighbors? What would Finland have given? Sure, they had defenses built facing Leningrad. But as their top general said, "the Mannerheim Line is a Finnish soldier standing in the snow." (I'm probably just paraphrasing, mind you.)
And if you want to talk about the blessings of distance from Peking, how are the average Sudanese and Zimbabweans doing with China "helping" those criminal governments all the way across the Indian Ocean?
And neither Finland nor Poland had a big ally as Taiwan does.
Taiwan can remain free if they arm up, take advantage of their geography and allies, and make sure that their military can take a chunk out of the hide of China if it comes to a fight. Survive that fight while giving China a bloody nose they won't forget, and Taiwan will survive until China loses interest in Taiwan.
So Taiwan is unlucky? Please. Finland and Poland would have believed God Himself had smiled on them if they stood behind a 100-mile wide anti-tank ditch with a global super power behind them. And Taiwan is prosperous enough to afford defenses capable of giving China a good dose of "what the Heck were we thinking?"
