Citizens fear that Beijing will destroy its democracy if it takes over.
People in Taiwan are divided over whether China and Taiwan should be united and become one country, but they are united on one issue to let their democracy stay.
Political analyst Prof Dirk Kotzé said it was not surprising that some Taiwanese citizens fear the merging of the two nations could not turn out well for them because of the Hong Kong experience, where China scrapped the two-systems policy when it took over.
Kotzé, from the University of South Africa's political sciences department, said Taiwan was in a quandary because it remained deeply isolated diplomatically, while it hoped for US support if attacked by mainland China.
But its technology-based economy is its global trump card for economic survival although the semiconductor industry also interested China.
Kotzé said Beijing put massive pressure on many countries, including South Africa, to isolate Taiwan, which is why Eswatini is the only country that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan in Africa.
Over the years, Taiwanese state officials have expressed fears that China's plan to take over and control Taiwan would ultimately destroy its democracy.
Politicians in Taipei believe that China would not only end democracy in Taiwan, but that Beijing would impose its dictatorship on the island nation.
この記事は The Citizen の July 31, 2024 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は The Citizen の July 31, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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