Why must Westerners refer to Taiwan and China as separate?

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by xhgz

Chinese people have relative low interest in Mongolia rather than Taiwan.

However, it is hard to say. If Xi administration can really resolve Taiwan problem, I do not know which one will be the next? South Tibet or Mongolia? Xi is a much tougher than the predecessor.

How do you think he hopes to "resolve" the issue?

[Mattks]

Never met a Taiwanese person who called themself Chinese. In fact, I got corrected a few times when I did call someone Chinese who was in fact Taiwanese. Never met a Taiwanese person who liked China either. My wife is Chinese and says the same thing, but she wishes they would call themselves Chinese and rejoin mainland China. Im sympathetic as to why they don't.

[GoldenTiger]

It's because they have a separate government and a separate identity. For the past 120 years, Taiwan had the same government (part of the same country) as China for maybe only 5 years. So it is a separate economy, separate government and separate identity. Same goes with Hong Kong and Macau, even though they are now part of China. People from both SARs still say they are from HK or Macau. Since they have different immigration rules and visa policies, people visiting will also say they are going to fly to HK or Macau rather than saying they are going to China.

Anyway, sometimes, even if they belong to the same country, people make a distinction. Like the USA often means the 48 contiguous states, so Hawaii and Alaska are often specifically mentioned. Also, Puerto Rico and Guam are often seen as distinct and are often referred separately.

[xhgz]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

How do you think he hopes to "resolve" the issue?

It is a common sense that US plays a key role in this issue. In current situation, US maximizes the greatest benefit from both sides. I do know about Xi rather than his speech and public appearance on TV. Xi may take aggressive action if Green Party win next election. Xi and predecessor never promise that they will abandon military efforts to resolve Taiwan issues. Of course, the chance is very low,

It also depending on who will be next US president. If next president take aggressive action or manipulate the situation in Asia, it is possible for a small military operation like Guerra de las Malvinas by PLA. For different people, they may take different approach. Jeb Bush and Rand Paul will be totally different.

Who really know?