There are only 5 possibilities for the future of Taiwan:
- Taiwan is totally separated from China;
- Taiwan becomes a part of USA;
- Taiwan becomes a part of Japan;
- Taiwan is united wit China under Communist rules;
- Taiwan is united with China under democratic system.
China went through a terrible time between 1949 and 1980, China lost an entire generation as result. Chinese leaders at that time were clearly out of touch with the people, and totally failed to do their jobs. The question is why would Chinese people have to suffer for so much and so long? Why couldn't Chinese people replace their leaders much sooner?
Without free election, how do people suppose to do when the leaders do not fulfill their duty? Do people suppose to fight civil war in order to replace the party in power, to kill each others by millions over and over?
It is true that Taiwan's democracy sometimes looks like a joke at the moment. However, it is a process that Taiwan has to go through before people in Taiwan can realize, and demand for, that rule-by-law and an independent judiciary system are essentials in order to complete a true democracy.
To this end, I suggest that each side open up its presidential election to the other side. For example, China allows the candidates from KMT and DPP to compete against CCP in its presidential election, and Taiwan will do the same to allow CCP's candidate onto its presidential ballot. Each side will hold its own election, but Taiwan and China will be united if one party wins all. It may take 50 years for that to happen, but what is the hurry?