China proper: Encyclopedia II - China proper - Taiwan

China proper - Taiwan

Since both China proper and Taiwan are controversial topics, the question of whether Taiwan is included within "China proper" is thorny as well.

In general, people who support independence for Taiwan, whether Taiwanese or outside observers, would argue that Taiwan is not a part of China at all, let alone China proper, from historical, cultural, or other grounds. Such a point of view often bears a strong affinity with sympathy to other independence movements such as those in Tibet and Xinjiang, and would promote receptivity to the concept of "China proper" as an entity is separate and different from "China."

Note, however, that the exclusion of Taiwan from China proper is on a different basis to the exclusion of Tibet, xinjiang, and Manchuria. The claim of exclusion for Taiwan is based on modern political history - the different regimes ruling mainland China and Taiwan since 1949. By contrast, the exclusion of Tibet, Xinjiang, and Manchuria is based on ethnicity, culture, and geography.

On the other hand, a stance not supporting independence for Taiwan, and in favour of a unified China, are more likely to consider Taiwan a part of China in every respect. In fact, this perspective would lead those who hold it to deny the very viability of "China proper" as a concept, since they are likely to equate "China proper" with "China", and consider every part of China, Han Chinese or otherwise, to be equally integral and indivisible.

See Political status of Taiwan for more on the dispute over Taiwan's status.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Taiwan", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki