A random thought on the Taiwan issue

There seems to be considerable misconception and  hysteria over the Taiwan issue. May I offer a humble view of the explosive controversy from a dispassionate aspect. China is really highly belligerent over the visit of US  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan which it described as fomenting its independence which China claims as its territory.  Is this not some kind of illusion that China is obsessed with? Taiwan and its President Tsai Ing-wen do not need any instigation from US top officials or any country to determine their destiny. They have already made up their mind to defend their sovereignty. Pelosi was not the first top US official to visit Taiwan and was indeed a world class herione to be so courageous to make the visit in defiance of colossal military threats from China. And it was to all intents and purposes and purposes a goodwill visit to pay respect to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and to give a derserving lift to the morale of the Taiwan people. The encompassing military drills above and around Taiwan by China to pulverise Taiwan had a limited effect but showed the less amiable persona of China. World opinion seeemed to look askance at the Chinese aggressive behaviour.

Whether Taiwan is China's territory is a moot question. The island was captured by the Qing Dynasty from the Dutch in the seventeenth century. KMT Chiang Kai Shek lost the civil war to the Chinese Communists in 1949 and retreated to Taiwan where it ruled the people with democracy and freedom. It is now ruled by the Democratic Progressive Party under President Tsai  Ing-wen with the same democracy and freedom. China Communist Party had never stepped foot on nor ruled Taiwan. It should not have surprised  Xi Jinping that Taiwan wants to continue to rule itself independently. They have been so inured in their livelihood under a democratically free political system that it is likely that they will defend it with their lives.

China has vowed they it will reunify Taiwan by force if it becomes necessary. Taiwan has modern and up-to-date Army, Navy and Air Force with Taiwanese soldiers who do not appear to lack bravery and patriotism to stand up to the People's Liberation Army, especially with US military support. This will  likely deteriorate into a protracted civil war and how long China will be able to sustain is a pertinent question. There seems to be talk that China has a very tight war budget which they are keeping from public knowledge for fear of internal revolt.

What will be the eventual outcome is anybody's guess. Democracy or autocracy? God may take a hand in the matter and the right of the Taiwanese people to determine their own destiny may be  deciding factor.