It's High Time China Exhibits Civilized Actions
In the early 18th century, the American colonies' successful independence from Britain in 1776 marked a significant turning point in history. This event, which saw mostly British colonists and Indigenous peoples establish a new nation free from imperial control, set a precedent for other colonies[2]. This shift from imperial rule to nation-states emerging from colonial status was profoundly influenced by the United States gaining independence and the subsequent decolonization processes throughout the 20th century.
The transition from the British Empire to the Commonwealth of Nations formally began in the early 20th century. Key milestones include the Balfour Declaration of 1926, which redefined dominions as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status," united by allegiance to the Crown but independent in governance[1][3]. This was followed by the Statute of Westminster 1931, which legally established legislative independence for dominions such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, formalizing the transition towards a voluntary association rather than an empire[1]. Post-Second World War decolonization accelerated the dissolution of Britain's territorial empire, with most colonies gaining independence in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, the Commonwealth is a voluntary association of mostly former British colonies, united symbolically by the monarch as Head of the Commonwealth but sovereign and independent in reality. The Commonwealth realms, where the British monarch remains the official head of state, are separate and fully sovereign countries sharing only the monarchy[1][3].
However, the situation of Taiwan and China does not fit the British colonial framework or the Commonwealth model. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), whereas mainland China is the People's Republic of China (PRC). Unlike British colonies that largely gained independence moving into the Commonwealth or full sovereignty, Taiwan's status is complex and contested[2]. China (PRC) claims Taiwan as its province, but Taiwan maintains its own government and operates like a sovereign state.
This transition reflects a broader shift from empire to voluntary association among former colonies, contrasted with Taiwan and China’s distinct political and historical context[1][2][3][4]. The historical experience of decolonization, where colonies gained independence and often constitutional ties through the Commonwealth or full sovereignty, differs from Taiwan’s situation, which revolves around contested sovereignty and recognition rather than colonial independence[2].
References:
[1] "The Commonwealth of Nations." BBC News, BBC, 14 Mar. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-37239410. [2] "Taiwan's Identity and China's Claim." Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 9 Oct. 2019, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/taiwans-identity-and-chinas-claim. [3] "The Commonwealth Evolution." The Commonwealth, The Commonwealth, www.thecommonwealth.org/our-work/commonwealth-evolution. [4] "Decolonization." Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 Mar. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/decolonization.
The transition from British imperial rule to the Commonwealth of Nations, marked by various policy-and-legislation milestones like the Balfour Declaration and the Statute of Westminster, was significant in allowing former colonies to achieve independence and sovereignty. In contrast, the status of Taiwan, as a contested territory claimed by China yet operating independently, does not follow the traditional colonial independence or Commonwealth membership model, highlighting the diverse political paths of post-colonial nations.
