I do not accept the story that China is trying to reclaim lost territory or be reunited with "family". The huge cost of China invading and occupying Taiwan would far exceed any possible benefit. China acts like it fears Taiwan and sees it as a threat. At first glance it would seem absurd that a nation as large and powerful as China would fear little Taiwan. However there maybe something to this supposition.

Most of the people in mainland China are narrowly focused on the admirable objectives of making money and improving the quality of their lives. The communist government of China appears to have no serious objections about their people making money. However it seems likely the people of China will begin asking the awkward question: "Could we make more money under a Taiwanese system of government versus the communist one we are currently saddled with?" Removing Taiwan now, preempts the Chinese people from asking that highly embarrassing question. One way the United States could help Taiwan is to make it clear to the average Chinese citizen that they would indeed make more money under a Taiwanese system of government and Taiwan's continued survival really has no bearing on that basic truth.

Gary