Taiwan or the mainland China?
which entity is the legitimate China?
The question of which entity is the legitimate China has been a contentious issue for decades. Some argue that Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is the legitimate China, while others believe that the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland is the true representative of China. This essay will argue that Taiwan is the legitimate China, and the mainland China is not.
Firstly, the ROC has a longer historical connection to China than the PRC. The ROC was established in 1912 following the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and was recognized by the international community as the legitimate government of China until 1971. The PRC, on the other hand, was established in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War and only gained international recognition in the early 1970s. Therefore, the ROC has a more legitimate claim to representing China than the PRC.
Secondly, the ROC has a more democratic system of government than the PRC. Taiwan has held regular free and fair elections since 1992, and the country has a thriving civil society with freedom of speech, press, and assembly. The PRC, on the other hand, is a one-party state, and the Communist Party of China holds a monopoly on political power. The government suppresses political dissent and limits civil liberties such as freedom of speech and assembly. The ROC's democratic system is more in line with the principles of modern governance than the PRC's authoritarianism.
Thirdly, the ROC has a more robust economy than the PRC. Taiwan's economy is based on a free-market system, and the country has developed into a high-tech manufacturing hub, with companies such as Foxconn, TSMC, and Asus headquartered there. Taiwan's per capita GDP is higher than that of the PRC, and the country is considered a developed economy. In contrast, the PRC's economy is heavily influenced by state control, and the country is still developing. The PRC's economic model has been criticized for its lack of transparency, corruption, and inefficiency.
Fourthly, the ROC has a more positive relationship with the international community than the PRC. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 14 countries, including the United States, Japan, and Australia, and participates in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the International Olympic Committee, and the World Health Organization. The PRC, on the other hand, has been criticized for its aggressive foreign policy, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. The PRC's behavior has led to tensions with many countries, including the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Lastly, the PRC's claims to legitimacy are based on a history of violence and repression. The PRC's founding involved a civil war and the expulsion of the ROC from the mainland, followed by a period of violence and repression under Mao Zedong's regime. The PRC's legitimacy has been further called into question by the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and the ongoing human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet. The ROC, on the other hand, has a history of peaceful democratic transitions of power and a commitment to human rights.
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that Taiwan is the legitimate China, and the mainland China is not. The ROC has a longer historical connection to China, a more democratic system of government, a stronger economy, a more positive relationship with the international community, and a history of peaceful transitions of power. In contrast, the PRC's claims to legitimacy are based on a history of violence and repression, aggressive foreign policy, and an economic model that lacks transparency and efficiency. The international community should recognize Taiwan as the legitimate China and support its continued sovereignty and independence.
