Taiwan

Xinjiang

Tibet

What are their problems?

Taiwan / Republic of China

Location: It is an East Asian state located in the pacific.

Pop: 23,461,708 (July 2015)

Area: 36,193 km2

Also called the “Free Area of the Republic of China”

22 UN states chose to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to not recognize the People’s Republic of China.

Taiwan / Republic of China

• Defeated, the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan in 1949

• Kuomintang still claimed sovereignty over all China

• Communists declared they rule of all China, Taiwan included.

• Truman sent the U.S Seventh Fleet to the Taiwan Strait.

•1971 Resolution 2758 – ROC expelled from the UN, PRC became a member.

What is the problem?

• Both agree the “One China Policy”

• ROC is illegitimate after the founding of the PRC. The PRC is the successor.

• Taiwan’s secession should be agreed upon the 1.3 billion Chinese citizens.

• Resolution 2758 recognizes the PRC as having the sovereignty of all of China.

• It is within the PRC’s legal rights to extend its jurisdiction to Taiwan.

• The ROC does not meet the 4th criteria from the Montevideo Convention (the capacity to enter into relations with other countries).

Position of the PRC

Position of the ROC

• It has all the characteristics of a state (territory, people, government, and can enter into relations with other countries).

• Taiwan has never been under the jurisdiction of the PRC.

• The ROC is the sole legitimate government of China. It claims all the territories that were historically under its control.

Xinjiang

Location: It is China’s westernmost region.

It is the largest autonomous province with its 1.6 million km2

Also called Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Pop: ~ 22 Million. Largely composed of Uyghurs and Hans, with smaller communities such as the Kazakhs, the Huis, the Tajiks, and others.

This region is part of the PRC since 1949.

What is the problem?

• An ongoing separatist conflict between Uyghur nationalists and the Chinese government.

• Some Uyghur nationalists seek independence from China. Others want more rights.

• For China, Xinjiang is a historic land.

Uyghur’s Arguments

• Right to self-determination

• Xinjiang was invaded in 1949 by the CCP

• China purposely sponsors the Han migration to the region.

• Second class citizens – Oppressive policies, religious restrictions, and widespread discrimination.

• Not much in common with the Hans

China’s Arguments

• Xinjiang is part of China since ancient times.

• China has no intention to grant independence to separatists.

• China views all of those who seek independence as “terrorists”.

Tibet

Location: It is located in the Tibetan Plateau.

It is the 2nd largest autonomous province with its 1.2 million km2

Also called Tibet Autonomous Region

Pop: ~ 3 Million. Largely composed of Tibetans, with a small population of Hans and other minorities.

This region is part of the PRC since 1951.

What is the problem?

• Tibet was independent and has been colonized in 1950.

• Tibetans accuse the Chinese of suppressing their culture, freedom of expression and worship.

• Large Han migration in the region

• China is accused of repression.

• Tibetans want to separate themselves from China.

• Many uprising and demonstrations

• Loss of universal freedoms

• National, cultural, and religious identity endangered Tibetan’s Arguments

China’s Arguments

• China ruled Tibet for more than 700 years. Tibet never was independent.

• China acknowledge some abuses

• Tibet is more wealthy thanks to China

• Tibet has a large amount of autonomy

• Helps the revival of the Tibetan culture