The American government said recently it will not support Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian in his bid to hold a popular referendum on whether Taiwan should apply for a seat in the United Nations. This announcement is symbolic of Washington's waning support of Taipei.
Taiwan's existence relies upon U.S. support, but the U.S. is no longer dedicated to supporting Taiwan. President George W. Bush reaffirmed this policy in December 2003 when he stated to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that he was opposed to any referendum that could lead to Taiwanese independence. He clarified this by saying the United States was opposed to any attempt by either side to alter the status quo. The U.S. does not support Taiwanese independence, but at the same time disapproves of Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan; it prefers the situation to remain with China claiming Taiwan and Taiwan actually governing itself in practice.
Herbert W. Armstrong, the late founder and editor in chief of the Trumpet's predecessor, the Plain Truth, predicted Taiwan's fate over 40 years ago. In a Sept. 19, 1958, letter he wrote, "Will Red China invade and capture [Taiwan]? In all probability, yes ?. The Red Chinese 'save face,' and the United States, with many American troops now on Taiwan, will again lose face!" In 1998, Gerald Flurry predicted, "These 21 million people are going to be forced into the Chinese mold; and it is going to happen for one reason: because of a pitifully weak-willed America." (Source: Trumpet.com, Sep 13, 2007).