One, Taiwan IS a breakaway province of China. There is much precedence for China taking back Taiwan, by force or any other means.

Two, there is precedence for areas to go their own ways, such as India and Pakistan, and so on. Look at the former Yugoslavia.

It would be a shame to see the US allow Taiwan to rejoin China on any terms the Taiwanese don't want.

When Taiwan had the least expensive educated labor in the world, Eisenhower, a conservative, sent the 7th Fleet cruising the area with every intention of stopping any hostile action against the main island.

And, the reality is that now labor is cheaper in other parts of the world.
The multinational corporations don't need Taiwan as much, and Bush has said that he hopes any reunion will be negotiated. China has cheaper labor, and the US is much more dependent upon China.

It's about money, not democracy.

And, on his limited behalf, he has made some stronger statements after that.

We'll see.

Arf