THE POLITICS OF TAIWANISATION (I): RISE OF NEW TAIWANISM

1.1 Along with Taiwan’s economic growth and political reforms, the rise of a new Taiwanese consciousness is not only inevitable, but also an irreversible, natural and even healthy development. But, since it will complicate the issue of Taiwan’s reunification with the mainland, it has also become a political football in Taiwan’s domestic politics, with politicians and political parties trying to use it for their own advantages. This new consciousness could be a time bomb that might jeopardise cross-strait relations in the long run and, in a worstcase scenario, lead to armed confrontation between Taiwan and China…