Zagorath

Long term, I agree. One China is a ridiculous fantasy with no relationship to the real world.

But right now, Taiwan is terrified, and rightly so, that China is going to violently invade them. And even people in Taiwan who are pro independence largely would rather maintain the status quo than risk antagonising China any more than strictly necessary.

We should ensure Taiwan is as able to defend itself as possible, and should be prepared to aid them if necessary and ensure China knows that would happen if they invaded. But we should let Taiwan take the lead in terms of determining how they want to be perceived on the world stage. And that means not officially recognising it unless they first declare official independence.

The sad reality is that Taiwan doesn’t want this. Most Taiwanese would eventually like to see it, but the fear of reprisal by China means they do not today claim to be an independent country. And I don’t think it’s right for anyone else to declare independence for them against their wishes.

Countries should continue to treat Taiwan as the independent country it is, including maintaining de facto embassies, treating them as independent for all foreign & trade policy, and aiding them in their self defence. But not officially recognise it until such a time as Taiwan wants that.

Sorry, but did you just say that reality is “a conservative social construct”?