The Ch'ing Era

It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.- Jerome K. Jerome

　　Today I finish Chapter 2 of the book, Island in the stream-- a quick case study of Taiwan's complex history. And again, I would like to write down what I feel when I read. Before taken by the Ch'ing court, the Cheng's supporters had a dispute about the succession. One group wanted to focus on managing Formosa and the other wished to continue the struggle with the Ch'ing regime. The later one won the battle and the Ch'ing government took it after the debate. What a familiar situation in Taiwan now! The inner part of Taiwan now separates into 2 groups too. One wants to be independent of China and the other wants to be union with China. Don't know which one would win now. But I don't think to be part of China would be great. Since China government can't take good care on their own people now, how can they handle when additional 24 million people join them? But this is only what I think. I don't have the right greater enough to decide that.

　　The coming era after the Cheng's ruling is the Ch'ing dynasty. But at first the Ch'ing court has a debate about keeping or abandoning the island. The reason to abandon this island is--it was a small island isolated from China adn continued to be a den of pirates, deserters, rebels and criminals fleeing justice. But the other group has its reason to keep the island too. That is--Formosa had abundant resources that could be utilized; and it could provide a buffer zone or shield to southeast China. And as we know, the keeping group won the debate and started its 212 years (1683-1895) ruling. But the Ch'ing took a passive ruling policy on Taiwan. It wasn't engaged in managing Formosa and there was boundary lines established to prevent intermarriage and communications between immigrants and aborigines.
　　
　　I feel strange all the time when reading the chinese history. The ruling government always thought other races are barbarians and recognized themselves outstanding than others. This maybe true when their lives are better than other races (though still can't name others barbarian...). But when it comes to the modern history it would be ridiculous to think like that. The one who feels inferior express himself arrogantly. That's what I think about China and its people...