
Editor’s Note: A Republic of Taiwan: Breaking the Chains was submitted by high schooler Chloe Wu Shih to the 2024 Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Creative Writing Prizes and recommended by judge Charles Yu as noteworthy for publication. We are pleased to share this impressive, deeply researched piece representing the views of the writer; in particular, Shih notes that Taiwan’s history traces back to the roots of the Republic of China though it is our editorial position that Taiwan has a 6,000-year history marked by repeated colonization, predating the arrival of, and occupation by, the ROC.
A young, ten-year-old girl was abruptly woken up by ominous whispers from the living room.
Rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes, she sluggishly checked the time on her smartphone, the screen flashing the early hour of four a.m. The girl turned away from the clock and braced herself for what was beyond the comfort of her room. As she entered the living room, the air was heavy with tension, and her parents muttered in hushed, uneasy tones —a familiar sight to her. Although she was too young to comprehend geopolitics, she keenly understood that the adults’ nervousness was caused by, once again, Chinese battleships being sighted near the coast of their nation, Taiwan. The girl quietly greeted her parents, then sat aside in the little corner to eat her breakfast, all the while listening to the adults’ conversations. She caught snippets of the conversation talking about their uncertain future with the country on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, China. Even when she went to school, the usual carefree laughter among the streets was replaced with a disturbing silence. The battleships lingered around for weeks, and the anxiety the girl felt grew heavier and heavier with each passing day. The girl realized over time that instead of a colorful, vivid childhood she was supposed to enjoy, the world she experienced now was gray, dull, and stifling. Although the threat would eventually pass, she was positive that there would be another threat, and another, and another. The little girl’s experience reflects the tension and pressure people of all ages live their everyday lives with due to the problems Taiwan is facing without securing independence. Taiwan, an island nation, has governed itself independently since 1949, and its history traces back to the roots of the Republic of China (ROC), the official title for Taiwan’s government. The ROC initially governed mainland China but was engaged in a civil war with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a political party fighting for control with the Kuomintang (ROC’s ruling political party). Upon losing the civil war to the communists, the ROC/KMT retreated to Taiwan, and since then, it has been a major political party in Taiwan, with Taiwan officially named the Republic of China. Unfortunately, the 75-year-old civil war between the CPP and KMT lingers between China and Taiwan in 2024. The Communist Chinese Party’s belief in a singular China has led to ongoing tensions with Taiwan. The mainland Chinese government believes that Taiwan should unify with the only and ‘superior’ government representing China. Contrary to the CCP, the people of Taiwan and its democratically elected government (the Democratic Progressive Party) believe that Taiwan is an independent nation separate from the Chinese government and thus should not be officially called the Republic of China but instead the Republic of Taiwan. However, hearing this statement, the mainland sent battleships to the seas around Taiwan, and its government has resolved to protect the nation through the assertion of an independent identity. They are advocating domestically through election campaigns, media, and historical education while carefully preserving the safety of its citizens by maintaining the current status quo of Taiwan, a nation that recognizes itself as independent but is seeking international recognition of statehood. Taiwan deserves a political title as an independent nation separate from the People’s Republic of China; the distinct societal values, establishment of identity, and adherence to international criteria for statehood justify the pursuit of sovereignty.
It must be recognized that Taiwan and China’s societies are so different that any attempt to unify with Taiwan by China, against the wishes of the Taiwanese, will create more conflict and also violate the citizens’ individual rights. Establishing that Taiwan and China have separate societal ideals is very important in this matter. In Taiwan, citizens are allowed to use any websites or apps they want, post anything on social media, and freely criticize the government. However, in China, citizens will be subject to severe consequences if they try to do the same. Authorities from the U.S. Department of State published a legal article on China’s disregard for individual freedoms, revealing that the Chinese government is restricting fundamental human rights of freedom of speech, religion, and expression. The report suggests that individuals in China who break these strict laws will face severe consequences. Hence, if Taiwan is forced to unify with China, many conflicts will arise between the Taiwanese and Chinese, for the Taiwanese will not accept these laws and violations of rights since they are used to a society with individual freedoms. Many Chinese officials argue that China will abide by the One China-Two Systems policy, which states that Taiwan will be free to have its own government, lasting peace, and respect for the legitimate beliefs and rights of Taiwanese people if Taiwan agrees to unify with China, thus becoming ‘One China’ with ‘Two Systems’. However, history has shown that this promise will not be honored. Hong Kong’s situation over the past few decades is a clear reflection of Taiwan’s. Hong Kong has been wrestling with the Chinese government about their personal rights and independence. When British Hong Kong was handed over by Great Britain to China, the Chinese government also promised Hong Kong its own governance and suffrage. Yet, China has denied their promise of such rights to Hong Kong citizens, thus contradicting their earlier assurances: “A 2014 decision by the central Chinese government to preselect candidates for Hong Kong’s top job dashed hopes that the city would achieve the promised goal of genuine universal suffrage” (Butts et al.). The result? Conflict. In 2014, a mass protest called the Umbrella Revolution occurred, where at least 20,000 pro-democracy and fuming Cantonese people occupied a large area near the Hong Kong government headquarters. In response, the government sent thousands of police to clear the road with tear gas and rubber bullets; unfortunately, there were even live bullets fired that injured two people, indicating the disregard for the citizens of Hong Kong’s health and safety. Therefore, the recent situation in Hong Kong highlights the failure of the One China policy and accents the poor treatment of the Cantonese people, who are considered ‘foreign’ to China, similarly to the viewpoint of Taiwanese people by China. If Hong Kong, a territory in a similar situation as Taiwan, was treated in such a violent and treacherous way, there is no guarantee that Taiwan will be treated differently or better. Taiwan must not be forced to become part of a country that disregards the mental and physical well-being of its own people and the people it’s attacking. For these reasons, conflict cannot be avoided if Taiwan is forced to unify with China, for the unfulfilled promise China made to Hong Kong is also being made to Taiwan. Hong Kong did not react well. Taiwan will not accept such betrayal either. The One China, Two Systems policy could not validate Taiwan and China’s unification because it would create more conflict, as seen with Hong Kong, that would have been avoided by recognizing Taiwan as an independent nation. The divergence in societal values, governance, and treatment of human rights between Taiwan and China is as vast as the universe itself, making the goal of unifying these contrasting states impractical and challenging. Recognizing Taiwan as an independent nation is crucial to avoiding future discord. In conclusion, unification between Taiwan and China is an impractical prospect due to differences in societal values, governance, and the treatment of human rights.
The establishment of an identity that roots from the White Terror era is [steadfastly] asserted, demonstrating the belief that Taiwan is a sovereign state. From 1947-1987, the Kuomintang, Taiwan’s ruling political party, issued martial law, which resulted in an oppressive reign of terror; this era was referred to as the ‘White Terror’. During that time of violence, chaos, and bloodshed, a majority of Taiwan’s citizens turned anti-government and eventually united against the KMT to protest, leading to the democratic presidency in Taiwan today. This experience of the White Terror has created a sense of belonging and unity among the Taiwanese because of their shared experience and hatred for the Kuomintang and its oppressive rule. Nowadays, the Kuomintang strives for unification with China, but most Taiwanese citizens strive for independence and reject Kuomintang ideals. This is also supported by Taiwanese resentment for governments that suppress individual rights, such as the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, many victims of the White Terror spend the rest of their lives reminding the new generation of Taiwan’s previous government of tyranny. The following image is a memorial wall of only the recorded, not all, sentences and executions of thousands of people during the White Terror, located on Green Island, Taiwan, which was a former White Terror prison (Cottenie):

Expanding on this, the wall of thousands of victims reminds the current generation that their democracy and freedom were not easily earned. Educators take extra effort to make sure the current generation is aware of how lucky they are to have individual rights and liberty. It is required by the Democratic Progressive Party-ruled government that schools teach more Taiwanese history than Chinese history to emphasize a Taiwanese identity, specifically history about the White Terror. For that reason, most of the people from the generations during and after the regime of the White Terror value independence from an oppressive regime like China way more than the average citizens of a state do. Nonetheless, this willful fight for independence is still being counterattacked by none other than the People’s Republic of China. They claim that Taiwan is an island of great diversity, and as a result, there are still many Taiwanese who believe themselves to be Chinese or have mixed identities. Contrarily, a recent study shows that even when Taiwan is a territory of great diversity, there is a visible difference in identity among the citizens. (Chao 24).

These statistics illustrate the growth of people who identify themselves as Taiwanese and the withering of responses that identify as both Taiwanese and Chinese, only Chinese, or those with no responses. The green line is the identity ‘Taiwanese’; the blue line, the identity ‘Chinese’. The graph shows that from 2008 and onward, the green line is completely dominant over the blue line: those who consider themselves Taiwanese consistently increased to the point where there is a huge gap between those identifying as Taiwanese and those identifying as Chinese. Thus, it is a clear portrayal of a national identity as ‘Taiwanese’ that dominates the population.
Furthermore, despite the diversity of ethnic backgrounds, one can easily glance at the graph without reading all the detailed notes and understand that there has been a consistent upward trend in the identity ‘Taiwanese’ since 1992. As a result, it is safe to assume that there is a growing sense of national unity and Taiwanese identity deserving of acknowledgement in terms of independence. In final consideration, Taiwan emphasizes democracy over dictatorship: the reminder of the numerous victims at the hands of the dictatorial Kuomintang strengthens the Taiwanese’s will for independence. This is a will that cannot be crushed by similar authoritarian governments, like the People’s Republic of China. The victims of Kuomingtang’s regime make sure the current generation firmly asserts their independent identity as Taiwanese, which is seen through solid statistics. They are proudly declaring to China that there is an independent country called Taiwan. A foreign country, including China, does not define Taiwan; the citizens do, the citizens that live in Taiwan. The unwavering statement of independence in Taiwan reflects the rejection of oppression and a strong belief in the achievement of self-governance and freedom through a unique identity.
In light of this, Taiwan’s adherence to international criteria establishes a rationale for the recognition of independence in legitimate terms. The criterions for statehood were globally agreed upon after the 1933 Montevideo Conference on the Rights and Duties of States. Every recognized country in the world abides by the four criteria of statehood presented in Article 4 of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. The first two criteria focus on the people and geography of a state, which are “(a) a permanent population” and “(b) a defined territory” (Somers 210). Criteria (a) and (b) can easily be applied to the sovereign state of Taiwan. As of 2024, Taiwan has a population of about 23,950,214 people permanently living on its native territory, while there are approximately 2,305,341 people living overseas. Moreover, to meet criteria b, Taiwan maintains control of 168 islands, which are classified into categories: Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, Tungsha/Dongsha, and Nansha. All 168 islands are legally recognized as Taiwan’s territory. Therefore, Taiwan already meets two of the four Montevideo requirements for legal statehood. The second two criteria are related to the political branches of a state and its ability to act on political terms, which are “(c) government” and “(d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states” (Somers 210). This applies to the official relations Taiwan has with many diplomatic allies that are some of the greatest world powers, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, countries of the European Union, Japan, and New Zealand. Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, made official visits for diplomatic relations to numerous countries — approximately twenty-one countries that generally support Taiwan behind the scenes or publicly. In all, Taiwan has maintained strong relations with 50 countries. Thus, criteria d is met by Taiwan. The topic regarding Taiwan’s entry into the UN holds more sensitivity due to the One China policy (there is only one China in the world, and the PROC is the only government that represents it). In addition, the fact that President Tsai and Taiwan’s government continue to strengthen relations with other countries through diplomatic visits shows the advocacy for independence by the people of Taiwan. Lai Ching-te, the president-to-be, plans to focus on drawing closer to the United States, a country that China fears greatly, and other democratic countries. This further accentuates Taiwan’s ability to navigate global relations.
Yet, the People’s Republic of China still claims that Taiwan is not eligible to become a state; the United Nations itself and many other countries do not accept Taiwanese sovereignty. However, this is an invalid statement, for recognition, even by the United Nations, is not a criteria for statehood according to Articles 3 and 6 of the Montevideo Convention, which state that the “political existence of the state is independent of recognition by the other states” and “recognition is unconditional and irrevocable” (Mariottini de Oliveira). These statements illustrate that Taiwan’s status as a state should not be significantly affected by recognition from other states. Although recognition may be a factor in political independence, it shall not be a ruling factor in terms of statehood. Taiwan’s independence shall not be dismissed by unsupported criteria. Likewise, being a part of the United Nations is not a criteria for becoming an independent nation. For example, Kosovo is not part of the UN but is still considered an independent nation. There is absolutely no difference between Kosovo and Taiwan. With this in mind, Taiwan is eligible for statehood according to multiple articles of the internationally recognized criteria for statehood, the Montevideo Convention. The legal principles in the Montevideo Convention highlight Taiwan’s eligibility for independence. Taiwan’s statehood is not determined by recognition by other states, as shown by Kosovo’s sovereignty, and therefore there are no legal reasons why Taiwan should not be accepted as an independent country. On that note, Taiwan firmly meets all legitimate qualifications to be an independent state and, as such, deserves an official title of independence: the Republic of Taiwan.
The girl, now a teenager, watches with a proud smile as Taiwanese military jets race across the blue sky, pulling along a lush green flag that was displaying the words, “Forever, the Republic of Taiwan.” After years of tension and uncertainty, Taiwan had officially become an internationally recognized independent nation. The girl remembered all the Chinese military threats she had grown up with, now finally over for good. She watched her parents’ faces light up with hope and her friends cry tears of joy. The streets of Keelung, once a city of sadness and once dominated by a suffocating silence, now erupted into jubilant, colorful celebration. There would no longer be any pressure, stress, or tension in their daily lives due to the conflicts between China and Taiwan; the young lady would finally be able to live peacefully, devoid of a melancholy morning with news reports of Chinese fighter jets sighted in Taiwan’s airspace. She would be able to wake up in the morning, look up, and see a clear, beautiful azure sky without a worry in the world. The girl smiled at the banner flying overhead; the Republic of Taiwan will be the promise of a brighter, safer future for her friends and enemies, for her family and strangers. A sound and tranquil future for all. Ultimately, a political title as an independent country will change the lives of the citizens of Taiwan, whether they are children like the girl in the story or working adults with a sense of pride for Taiwan. It is illustrated that, through steadfast determination and efforts, Taiwan would break free from the chains of China one day. Resolving the persistent issue of independence between Taiwan and China by acknowledging an independent Taiwan will enhance the quality of life for all Taiwanese. Gone will be the dull childhood memories, the reactions of panic at the sound of an alarm, and the state of living on the brink of war. With an independent Taiwan in the future, tense exchanges between Taiwan and China will cease to exist, and the prospect of independence will not only relieve political tension but also bring mental tranquility to the Taiwanese. China seeks to eradicate the Republic of China to assert superiority, thus sending their military into Taiwan’s airspace, terrorizing the citizens, and negatively impacting the lives of those who played no part in the 75-year-old war. The Chinese government blatantly disregards and disrespects the sacrifices Taiwan has made in the last century to defend freedom and democracy. Taiwan must uphold its well-earned liberty and autonomy. Taiwan must stand proudly and independently. Only by doing so can the Taiwanese truly achieve the stability and prosperity they have been fighting for. The prospect of the world embracing Taiwanese independence may seem challenging, but once achieved, Taiwan will secure a brighter, stabilized future and offer renewed hope for all its people in the generations to come, for Taiwan’s independence symbolizes the honoring of countless sacrifices made and the upholding of a proud, well-deserved national identity.
Works Cited
Butts, Dylan, et al. “Hong Kong’s Timeline since the 1997 British Handover to China.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 1 July 2022,
www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hong-kongs-25-years-china-protests-politics-tightening-laws-rcn a36284. Accessed 5 Feb. 2024.
Chao, Kevin. “Taiwanese National Identity, Cross-strait Economic Relations, and the Threat of the People’s Liberation Army: Examining Taiwan’s Relations with Mainland China since 2000.” Naval Postgraduate School, September 2020, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1126385.pdf. Accessed 5 Feb. 2024
Cottenie, Tyler. “Taiwan’s White Terror on Display.” Taipei Times, 23 December 2022, https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2022/12/23/2003791228. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.
Mariottini de Oliveira, Victor. “Statehood for Sale: Derecognition, “Rental Recognition”, and the Open Flanks of International Law.” Jus Cogens, 23 March 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42439-023-00075-y. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024
Somers, Werner. “The Taipei-based Republic of China and the Will to Statehood.” The State of Taiwan, Brill Nijhoff, vol. 2 pp. 683-738, 4 May 2023.
https://brill.com/display/book/9789004538153/BP000023.xml. Accessed 24. Jan 2024
“China’s Disregard for Human Rights.” U.S Department of State.
https://2017-2021.state.gov/chinas-disregard-for-human-rights/. Accessed 24 January 2024
Acknowledgments
My wonderful Irish-German-Vietnamese-Chinese-American Editor: Anya Dellinger
My favorite english teacher: Mr. Lee Spengler
Chloe Shih is a freshman student at Glendora High School and shares her home in Los Angeles with two black cats. With a passion for exploring topics related to Taiwan and its voice for independence, Chloe’s writing often takes the form of casual essays. She infuses her work with discipline and a keen sense of focus, drawing from her nine years of experience and dedication in kendo, a Japanese martial art. When she’s not immersed in writing or honing her kendo skills, Chloe can be found indulging in her love for music and delving into the world of manga, finding inspiration and relaxation in the vivid storytelling and artistry of Japanese comics.
Leave a Reply