Taiwan?! I stared at this answer when it appeared. Considering the political situation between the two countries, This was the answer I did not even bothered to include.
Apparently there's a lot of Chinese sympathizers in Taiwan. I've seen an article in the last year quoting some Taiwanese military official saying he wouldn't fight against China - and I guess that's a fairly common feeling. Kind of like how the Russian demographics of SE Ukraine led to that country being torn apart.
And when you're a small island, 100 miles away from one of the largest militaries/economies/populations/regional controllers ... what are you going to do. Cease relations forever while you wait for ... a reunification with your officials in charge of mainland China ... which is never coming? I assume they aren't as tenacious & willing to sacrifice as the Afghans, or maybe Vietnamese - I don't see how they'd avoid annexation. Just play the game and get rich while delaying/waiting for the inevitable.
Edit: i forgot australia bruh... What a shame.
And when you're a small island, 100 miles away from one of the largest militaries/economies/populations/regional controllers ... what are you going to do. Cease relations forever while you wait for ... a reunification with your officials in charge of mainland China ... which is never coming? I assume they aren't as tenacious & willing to sacrifice as the Afghans, or maybe Vietnamese - I don't see how they'd avoid annexation. Just play the game and get rich while delaying/waiting for the inevitable.