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Cliff notes: The Independence movement in Taiwan never got a strong foothold in domestic Taiwanese politics, and the nationalist party (conservative) played their cards right in recent events and has a majority support from the country. They advocate preserving the peace and increasing economic integration with China. 80% of people support the current Mayor of Taipei, and 2008 presidential election candidate who happens to be a Harvard educated conservative (in Taiwanese politics). The people of Taiwan have spoken: focus on economic development and international prosperity, and maintain the status quo!

Snippet from article's conclusion:

"The demise of Taiwan's independence movement has removed the only conceivable source of war between the United States and China. The two countries will continue to improve their military capabilities and compete for influence in eastern Asia, but as the threat of war over Taiwan recedes, they may moderate their defense policies toward each other. As Beijing gains greater confidence that Taipei seeks not independence but cooperation, it should be able to relax its military posture. Unilateral freezes on new missile deployments and redeployments of missiles away from the Taiwan Strait by Beijing would increase support among Taiwan's voters for the KMT's policy of engagement. Such actions would also promote good relations between China and other countries in the region, serving China's declared objective of a "peaceful rise."

And about the US's interest in the issue...

"Washington has long considered Taiwan's moves toward independence a threat to U.S. security because they could lead to war. And so it was unsurprising when U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick's September 2005 comprehensive review of U.S. relations with China included only three brief neutral sentences on Taiwan, signaling U.S. satisfaction with current trends in cross-strait relations. Now that Taiwan's independence movement is waning, and the risks of war between China and the United States are receding, defending U.S. interests in the region will become far easier."

I guess you guys can stop worrying about Chinese paratroopers at night and instead focus on your defenses against the horde of undead.

wow, no one cares that the chances of war with China are growing incredibly slim.

I guess we can only pray for zombies because there won't be chinese paratroopers landing in the USA "Red Dawn" style anytime soon

We will still end up going to war with the chi-commies...

Quoted: We will still end up going to war with the chi-commies...

yep, eventually......

Sweet, that means will get another batch of hot desperate Taiwanese babes fleeing commie oppression.  

This is a example of what is known as "The fallacy of wishful thinking"

Foreign Affairs has been wrong many, many times before.....

Quoted: This is a example of what is known as "The fallacy of wishful thinking"

Yep.

Just recently, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian formally dissolved the Unification Council (an act that Red China characterized as being a near-declaration of war in itself), and has been making loud noises for independence ever since. If anything, the pressure for a permanent split from mainland China is increasing, not subsiding.

Quoted: Quoted: This is a example of what is known as "The fallacy of wishful thinking" Yep. Just recently, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian formally dissolved the Unification Council (an act that Red China characterized as being a near-declaration of war in itself), and has been making loud noises for independence ever since. If anything, the pressure for a permanent split from mainland China is increasing, not subsiding.

Hmm, could you quote that for me please? Here is the leading english taiwanese newspaper

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/

Actually, according to the article the opposition leaders (the original democratic nationalists in china) have been making great progress, actually meeting with the chinese premier.

Business between china and taiwan is booming...

Travel regulations are dropping off...

And the taiwanese people strongly support (80% plus)either maintenance of the status quo (quasi independence) or a peaceful reunification with China down the road, when they presumably become more democratized.

Chen Sui Bien barely won his elections... twice! First time was because his opposition split in half, second time because he had an assasination attempt placed on him. Too bad the leading American forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee (who originally came from Taiwan, and had a show on Court TV or the discovery channel i beleive) came to the conclusion it was faked after examining the evidence. Let's not forget that China much rather prefers becoming a legitimate, rich, recognized and respected country and is heavily integrated into the global economy... I believe that a few too many are drawing incorrect direct paralells from China to the USSR.