Taiwan: a.k.a. Republic of China, not to be confused with the People's Republic of China, a.k.a. China. Following the Communist victory in Mainland China in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government, a multiparty democracy. Taiwan's constitution was adopted on 25 December 1946; went into effect on 25 December 1947. They are still waiting for international recognition as a sovereign state.

The English founded America, but Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Maintaining diplomatic relations with the China has been recognized to be in the long-term interest of the United States by seven consecutive administrations; however, maintaining strong, unofficial relations with Taiwan also a major U.S. goal. In keeping with our one-China policy, the U.S. does not support Taiwan independence, but it does support Taiwan's membership in appropriate international organizations, such as the WTO, APEC forum, and the Asian Development Bank, where statehood is not a requirement for membership. In addition, the U.S. supports appropriate opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in organizations where its membership is not possible. US dept. of State website: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35855.htm

What about the 900 ballistic missiles that China has pointed at Taiwan, or the fact that more are added every year to try to intimidate them. At the other end of the missiles you have China a repressive regime where there is no freedom of speech, of the press, or of association.

On May23 Senator Barack Ombama said, "China's rise offers great opportunity but also poses serious challenges ... This means maintaining our military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening our alliances, and making clear to both Beijing and Taipei that a unilateral change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is unacceptable. Also, though today China's military spending is one-tenth of ours, we must monitor closely China's strategic capabilities while also pushing for greater transparency of its defense activities." "If US policy is to maintain the status quo, the policy is tantamount to acquiescing to China's blatant threats against a fledgling democracy, to condoning the fact that the 23 million people of Taiwan are being held hostage by Chinese missiles, and to equating democracy with a communist and oppressive regime. It is against the very foundation the United States' founding fathers built on more than 200 years ago". -- http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IF06Ad01.html

Taiwan's Constitution: http://www.taiwan.com.au/Polieco/Government/Constitution/report02a.html#Chap01

September 19, 2007: A key General Assembly committee once again rejected Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations, the 15th straight year the island has been let down in its attempt to become a member of the world body. Although many forward thinking politicians where in favor, it just wasn't enough:

"Let's tell the world how unfair it has been to deny the 23 million people of Taiwan their voice and representation in the United Nations and especially their willingness to [help] other nations in need."
Dana Rohrabacher, US representative California

Taiwan is not only a free, open and independent democracy, but also a good neighbor and friend to countries in need around the world. Taiwanese, who have demonstrated they are responsible citizens of the world, deserve a voice and a seat at the UN.
Edolphus Towns, US representative New York

Representative Robert Andrews said that for too long Taiwanese have lived in the shadow of China, which he said has loomed so large that Taiwan has been blocked from membership in the UN. "China must recognize that Taiwan is neither rival nor vassal. Rather, it is a neighbor,"
Robert Andrews, US representative, New Jersey

US Representative Anthony Weiner said he deeply regretted that the UN continues to disregard the sovereignty of Taiwan and deny the right of self-determination to its people. "There is no question that the United States must stand strong and advocate Taiwan's independence from China and inclusion as a United Nations member state,"
Anthony Weiner, US Representative, New York

The Chinese run Xinhua News Agency cites: "No one can change the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territories,
" Back in the 1770's - some nobleman no doubt uttered, "No one can change the fact that the American Colonies are an inalienable part of the English territories". (ed.)

China claims Taiwan as a province and resists any move that appears to give the self-governing, democratic island the trappings of sovereignty. Beijing has threatened to attack if Taiwan declares independence and has stationed hundreds of missiles opposite the island.

Although there are no formal diplomatic ties with the United States, Taiwan is a close U.S. ally and Washington has hinted it would protect Taiwan if China attacked. But U.S. officials worry the referendum could upset the delicate balance of power in the region.

Taiwan's supporters have been trying since 1993 to get the General Assembly to list the issue of the island's admission on the U.N. agenda, but China's arguments have prevailed.

Taiwan regretted the failure of its latest attempt to join the United Nations, saying it was unsurprised but vowing not to let up, and will continue to try in years to come.