Hmmm perhaps the Taiwan governments themselves don’t want to have a referendum either? Afraid to know the results or afraid that the mainland will conduct exactly the shock and awe tactics to frighten the populace to vote no? After all brexit happened because the populace was lied to and because of shock and awe tactics from the brexiters.
Also, China in its 5000 year history has never settled domestic disputes amicably through referendums. It has never learnt that. It has always been through use of violent uprisings. I would love to hear from a Chinese scholar of history to challenge me on this point.
You are right, Taiwanese themselves would never support a referendum on the topic, as it would only raise tensions to unprecedented levels and risk a war. It is the Chinese, I argue, that are supporting the idea of "allowing" a referendum when they make such comparisons. If they draw analogies with countries that allow territories to leave, then they should follow the example to its logical conclusion. If the threat of attack were removed, Taiwanese would overwhelmingly vote for independence. But as long as the threat exists, they don't want to lift that rock.
Hmmm perhaps the Taiwan governments themselves don’t want to have a referendum either? Afraid to know the results or afraid that the mainland will conduct exactly the shock and awe tactics to frighten the populace to vote no? After all brexit happened because the populace was lied to and because of shock and awe tactics from the brexiters.
Also, China in its 5000 year history has never settled domestic disputes amicably through referendums. It has never learnt that. It has always been through use of violent uprisings. I would love to hear from a Chinese scholar of history to challenge me on this point.
You are right, Taiwanese themselves would never support a referendum on the topic, as it would only raise tensions to unprecedented levels and risk a war. It is the Chinese, I argue, that are supporting the idea of "allowing" a referendum when they make such comparisons. If they draw analogies with countries that allow territories to leave, then they should follow the example to its logical conclusion. If the threat of attack were removed, Taiwanese would overwhelmingly vote for independence. But as long as the threat exists, they don't want to lift that rock.