A rather important step was taken by Taiwan in an effort to move into the world as a free nation. Since the civil war that split Taiwan from China in 1949, China has insisted that Taiwan was still part of the country and must be re-assimilated back in (eventually). Taiwan, on the other hand, says they are and need to be free from the rule of China.

For years member of the US government have been concerned about a war between the two. Since Taiwan is an ally of the United States, any attack on Taiwan would be an attack on the United States. This would mean a direct conflict between the US and China, and no one wants that. Forget the humanitarian issues or nuclear war issues that surround an event like that, the initial economic destabilization would be massive and felt throughout the world. In a matter of weeks, the world would suffer from a global depression.

Military and other officials still insist that force will need to be used in order to regain control in Taiwan, but I see this as unlikely. I think this is just the old world commie propaganda attacks and if you think about it, China is in a no win situation. If China attacks Taiwan, and for whatever reason the US or UN does not get involved in the conflict which means the war is strictly between China and Taiwan, the devastation the island of Taiwan will suffer would be unimaginable. This means, all of commerce that powers the island of Taiwan would be destroyed and the island would be useless to China. If the US or UN does get involved we have a total, all out, world war.

The real reason China wants Taiwan back is because of the money that flows into and out of Taiwan. The small island is a technology and commerce force that would help China in their quest for economic domination of the world. However, they have this no win situation which they cannot overcome (for the foreseeable future). As it has been over the years, this situation will be very interesting to watch... especially if the US says anything about Taiwan's latest actions.