My Chinese history is rusty, but isn't it true that the island of Taiwan has historically been part of China? It was only after the last wave of dueling warlords (the Communists vs. the Chiang Kai-shek group) that the losers (Chiang's folks) retreated to Taiwan and the winners, (who can be seen as the next dynasty) have been trying to root them out ever since. Without U.S. support for Taiwan, they would have been successful a long time ago. I'm not expressing support for either side, just saying that China has a long history of upheaval--the dynasty in power gets senile, the peasants revolt, the warlord with the most support and biggest army becomes the new emperor, and the masses go back to work. I would guess that those in power in China see it that way anyhow.