83 MARTINDALE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE Taiwanese and how the island can preserve its democratic values. Becoming sovereign would be a heavy burden. How does a country even become a country? International law experts identify four main characteristics of statehood: people, territory, government, and sovereign capacity for relations with other states. Through intimidation and inciting fear, Beijing blocks Taiwan from engagement with other nations and participation in world organizations. China is Taiwan’s largest trading partner, a member of the UN, and a global superpower that Taiwan would not want to antagonize by separating. However, unification would mean exchanging a democratic government for communism. The Taiwanese identity, especially indigenous cultures, would likely be suppressed and replaced with Chinese customs. Furthermore, unification would disrupt the global economy. Taiwan is a critical hub for maritime trade and semiconductors, both vital to global supply chains. China absorbing Taiwan could foment widespread instability, including trade sanctions and shifts in geopolitical alliances. Questions about preserving Taiwan’s cultural identity and economy under Chinese rule remain unanswered (Collins & Erickson, 2024). Taiwanization and indigenization policies are in place and museums erected, but how would unification alter these aspects of Taiwan as the world knows it? Maintaining the status quo offers a precarious balance between sovereign independence and survival. Taiwan’s future hinges on its ability to sustain the mutually reinforcing relationship between collective identity and human rights. The largest swath of voters is those who remain impartial to unification or separation. They may ultimately be swayed not by abstract political considerations but by concrete questions about the effects on Taiwan’s distinctive rights-protecting democracy. However, the status quo has its challenges too: military drills, international isolation, and exploitation of Taiwan’s technology, geography, and people (Stockton, 2002). At the heart of Taiwan’s human rights dilemma lies the question of identity. As the island navigates external threats and internal divisions, fostering a cohesive sense of identity becomes essential. Taiwan’s future depends on balancing autonomy while addressing the aspirations and concerns of its people, defining itself on its own terms for both its citizens and the watching world. References Chang, A., Jonaki M., Yu, M., & Jarenwattananon, P. (2024, January 17). Members of one Indigenous tribe in Taiwan reflect on their identity. NPR. Chang, B. (2004). From Taiwanisation to de-sinification. China Perspectives, 2004, 1–19. doi:0.4000/chinaperspec tives.438 Cheung, H. (2017, June 11). Taiwan in time: Curing a ‘deeply poisoned’ populace. Taipei Times. 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