The Republic of China (RoC, Taiwan) may very well become the Republic of Taiwan if pro-independence forces continue to gain favour on this island nation of only 22.5 million. Despite the fact that China claims sovereignty over the island, the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan. China has threatened military force should Taiwan opt for a radical change in the status quo. The US is stuck in the middle. Should it continue to support Taiwan's fledgling democracy and thereby continue angering China? Or should the US modify its foreign policy to force Taipei to negotiate with Beijing? Either could have unpleasant outcomes. In Taiwan's elections last March the independence-minded Democratic People's Party (DPP) incumbent President Chen Shui-bian was shot in an assassination attempt. Chen, who narrowly won re-election, discussed his intention of modifying the constitution in 2006, which has got both Beijing and Washington confused, angry and scared.
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