I've been an observer of the China/Taiwan issue since the late 1970s. And the international diplomatic race between China and Taiwan has recently struck a new low (or a new high, depending on your perspective).

Both China and Taiwan (more so for Taiwan) use a LOT of US Dollars in their foreign diplomatic relationships. Taiwan currently has diplomatic relationships with 27 countries (I think), all are poor, backwater countries in Africa, South America, or some island nation with a population of 50.

If you're a small ass country and need an infusion of MILLIONS of US Dollars, just play both sides. Sign diplomatic relations with Taiwan first and get your millions. Then host an election in about a year and half to 2 years to switch your leader, and then you can have a legitimate excuse to cut off Taiwan and switch to China after you negotiated DOUBLE the amount of annual US Dollar gifts. During your relationship with China, secretly negotiate with Taiwan - you can get paid a handsome "consulting fee", and then a few years down the road, play the same game again. You'll never get in trouble because after all, you had an election and your people chose a new leader that changed the diplomatic stance.

You know, I'll bet we have enough members and enough resources here to buy ourselves an island and declare independence. After which we could negotiate "economic aid packages" from Taiwan if we pledge our diplomatic relationship. Everything would be paid for by Taiwan's government, including the salary of our government workers and diplomats. First class travel, lodging, and meals are included.

What do you say? Let's pool our funds together and buy an island?

 

if your business venture that I'm toying with investing in pays off handsomely, I'm game for this island buying/independence declaring thing.

do we get to subjugate the natives too? that's always been my favorite part of nation-building.

 

Wow! This sounds like it could be fun. Can I be the Secretary of State?

 

Well, let's do the math here, shall we?

An island in the pacific I have my eyes on is this: http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/sales_...ougasaki_1.html

It's a JDM island

it's only 1.5 million dollars (including the pearl business). Now, let's say 150 S2000 members each put up $10k for this island, and we declare independence (with the consent of Japan, of course). Typical aid package are reported to start at $10mil, plus fringe benefits. So for $10k investment, each member gets $66k/year if we distribute the 10 mil evenly. $10mil would go a long way in the first year to build luxury condos for each and everyone of us. the 2nd year we can use the $66k plus other slush funds to host party there all year long.

not bad for a $10k investment, eh?

 

Mingster, let's take it one investment at a time! now go make us all rich then we'll buy Canada

 

if you look at that map, we're in a perfect position to invade S. Korea as well, or atleast threaten to lob over whatever cheap missiles we can get our hands on. that, coupled with if we sign the Non-Proliferation Act agreeing to never develop nuclear weapons... we can negotiate a tremendous aid package from the United States!

 

I like your thinking dude.

Let's buy Australia next!

 

Taiwan's DPP

 

yes. but too bad 46% of the voters in taiwan are either too stupid, too blind, or too selfish to see that.

i read on CNN.com that some of these DPP supporter fools actually THINKS that we will send troops to support Taiwan if China attacks. NOT going to happen. we're too busy with Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

If your other investment plan pans out for us I say we buy a couple islands, declare neutrality, and open up some banks!