China-Taiwan Debate
In this project you will work independently and also in a group.
The goal of the project is to engage in an informal and formal debate!
We will take you through step by step, so you will all be great debaters!
Steps 1-3 should take about 4-5 class periods.
Step 1 - about 1.5 class periods
Step 2 - about 1.5 class periods plus homework
Step 3 - 1 class period
What is a debate? (1:37 mins)
STEP 1: Is Taiwan a country?
Today we will try to answer this question: Is Taiwan a country? The answer is more complicated than it appears.
Is Taiwan a country?
PROCESS:
What is a country? As a class be clear on what a country is. See criteria.
Read the three printed articles and fill in your notes sheet.
As a class, watch the two videos. Add to your notes as you watch.
Write out your claim and reasons (with evidence from articles and videos)
As a class, share your claims, reasons, evidence.
Hand in your Notes handout with claim and reasons
Is Taiwan a country or part of China? (5 mins)
China and Taiwan explained (4 mins)
STEP 2 - Reunification: Analyzing different persepctives
You will be assigned a "side" (China or Taiwan) and will participate in an INFORMAL debate with a partner.
PROCESS:
Watch "reunification" videos as a class. These are very clear positions.
Using the provided articles, students read and take notes on BOTH sides. Notes for Day 2-3
On Day 3, students participate in an informal debate. Informal Debate Day Worksheet
INTRO: reunification - Different Perspectives
2019: (Primary Source)
Taiwan's Foreign Minister says, "Reunification with China is not an option."
(5 mins)
2019: (Primary Source)
China's Xi Jinping says, "Unification is inevitable."
Time Video - (1:43 mins)
Printed Resources for Research:
# 9 - Scholastic Upfront Article: "Taiwan's Uncertain Future" (password: rlmsstudent)
#5 - Taiwan Continues to Reject Reunification As China's Leader Makes It a Priority
#6 - Explainer: The Complex Question of Taiwanese Independence
#7 - Statement By The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Easy to read version: adapted by Mrs. Callahan
#8 - What is the "One China" principle - Statement from Chinese Government to the EU. Easy to read version: adapted by Mrs. Callahan
STEP 3: INFORMAL DEBATE
Follow the class debate protocol.
PROCESS:
Write you claim and reasons
Meet as a "caucus" group to compare evidence
(and 4) Debate your partner. One person debates, the other listens and writes notes. Then switch.
5. Meet as a "caucus" to compare what the other side said. Prepare rebuttal points.
6. (and 7) Debate your partner. One person states their rebuttal, the other listens and takes notes. Then switch.
8. Write. What is your position now?
Extra sources IF NEEDED:
history of the China-Taiwan tension
Oriana Skylar Mastro from Stanford University explains the issues between the U.S., China and Taiwan
different prespectives of china and taiwan
Council of Foreign Relations: Why Are China Taiwan Relations So Tense?
Different Perspectives: Interviews from PBS
Be sure to note WHO is speaking!
Brookings Institute: What is Taiwan's Plan to Protect Itself?
China's New White Paper Lays Out Vision for Post Reunification with Taiwan
The Actual Chinese Statement on Taiwan (this is long and complicated)
OPTIONAL
OPTIONAL...STEP 4: Formal Debate: How Does the U.S. Handle This Conflict?
PROCESS:
As a class:
Watch Discovery Education: Why is Taiwan So Disputed? (3 mins) (ludlowe/bulldogs)
Watch Nancy Pelosi's visit and Joe Biden's Statement on Defending Taiwan.
2: Introduce the formal debate question: .
Should the United States Defend Taiwan If China Invades?
3. Students research both sides of this position.
4: Assign debate groups and positions. Groups will need an opening statement, facts for rebuttal and a closing statement.
5: Formal Debate - Formal Debate Structure
How Nancy Pelosi's Visit to Taiwan Re-Ignited the China-Taiwan Debate
(optional) Should the u.s. defend taiwan if china invades
Political Predictions:
Video and Article:
Business Implications:
Opinions
Should the US Be Willing To Go To War to Defend Taiwan?
Multiple Perspectives with links to longer articles. (scroll down)
Works Cited
Works Cited for Days 1-3
Blanchard, Ben, and Jessica Wong Yu. "China says Taiwan not a country, Taiwan says China needs reality check." Reuters.com, 27 Sept. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-china-taiwan/china-says-taiwan-not-a-country-taiwan-says-china-needs-reality-check-idUSKCN1C20YF. Accessed 6 Jan. 2023.
"Countries That Recognize Taiwan As A Country." World Population Review, 2023, worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-recognize-taiwan. Accessed 6 Jan. 2023.
"Explainer: the complex question of Taiwanese independence." The Big Think, bigthink.com/the-present/taiwan-independence/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2023.
Li-Schwartz, Clio, et al. "Three reasons why Taiwanese people are increasingly opposed to 'reunification' with China." Grid News, 2 Sept. 2022, www.grid.news/story/global/2022/09/02/three-reasons-why-taiwanese-people-are-increasingly-opposed-to-reunification-with-china/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.
"Questions and Answers Concerning the Taiwan Question (2):What is the one-China principle? What is the basis of the one-China principle?" Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, China, 15 Aug. 2022, eu.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/more/20220812Taiwan/202208/t20220815_10743591.htm. Accessed 10 Jan. 2023.
Rosenberg, Matt. "Is Taiwan a Country?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/is-taiwan-a-country-1435437.
"Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China." Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, China, 2 Aug. 2022, www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202208/t20220802_10732293.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2023.
"Taiwan continues to reject reunification as China's leader makes it a priority." Radio Free Asia, 17 Oct. 2022, www.rfa.org/english/news/southchinasea/taiwan-rejects-reunification-10172022040548.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2023.