Only One China

“Where are you from?” People are asked frequently in the U.S. “I am from China.” I answered with a smile, “How about you? Are you from China?” “No, I am from Taiwan.” Hearing this answer, I get angry. I don’t like this answer. Actually, Taiwan is an integral part of China. There is only a Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and Fujian province where I lived for nineteen years. Taiwan has been severed from the Chinese mainland since 1949 because Jiang, a old leader of Kuomintang, failed in the civil war and escaped to Taiwan. In recent years, some of Taiwan’s leaders have attempted to declare the “independence of Taiwan”. They implemented an educational reform to teach children that Taiwan is an independent country. The issue of Taiwan’s secession has had many negative effects on my life.

First of all, Taiwan’s secession affected my education. As Taiwan’s secession became a problem for the Chinese government, the main topic of my social science class became all about Taiwan’s secession. I had some homework and exam which were about Shui Bian Chen, the leader of the Taiwan’s government who attempted to declare the independence of Taiwan. In addition, my history class also focused on some revolution in Taiwan’s history. As Taiwan’s secession has become more and more serious, some students publicized and participated in some demonstrations to against Taiwan’s secession. What was worse, Taiwan’s secession has lasted for many years, so it has been affecting my education in my middle school, high school and university studies.

Taiwan’s secession not only affected my education, but it also affected my relatives who live in Taiwan. Actually, the hometown of many people who live in Taiwan is the Chinese mainland. They often want to come back to the Chinese mainland on some festivals to visit their relatives. However, the government of Taiwan does not allow the direct route between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. My grandmother’s sister who lives in Taiwan is limited to go visiting the Chinese mainland because of the above reason. Every time she comes back to the Chinese mainland, she needs to go to Hong Kong first, and then arrives at Fuzhou by air. It’s a waste of money and time. Therefore, she just visits us about once every three years. My grandmother often says she misses her sister, and it makes me feel sad to know that a government has created all these inconveniences for my family.

Moreover, Taiwan’s secession has affected my hometown to a certain extent. As Taiwan’s secession has become more and more serious, it has made the people who live in my hometown became nervous and worried that a civil war may occur. Taiwan’s government has bought many arms from other countries, and these have been some military exercises around my hometown. Some people who used to live in my hometown were afraid of war and moved to other places. Our old Chairman, Xiao Ping Deng, said that “We want to solve the problem of Taiwan’s secession by peaceful means through contacts and negotiations. However, we’ll never promise to give up resorting to force.” What a powerful policy! There is no doubt that people like peace, and all of us want to solve it in peaceful way.

In conclusion, Taiwan’s secession has affected my education, my relatives and the province where I used to live. However, Taiwan is an integral part of China, and China cannot lose it. Last year, Ying Jiu Ma became the Taiwan’s leader instead of Shui Bian Chen. I hope that Taiwan’s new leader will revise its policy about secession. Most Chinese and Taiwanese citizens don’t want to see a war between Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Looking back at history, China has had civil war during 1945 to 1949, many people died and the economic were decline and terrible. The victims are always the residents. The sooner these two sides solve the issue of Taiwan’s secession, the better everyone will be. The most important goal that we must maintain is “Only One China”.