PRC VS. ROC

I once taught in a school where there was a large number of Mainland Chinese students as well as a small group of Taiwanese students. I did not hear of any tension between them.

But that was in an era where relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China were not as tense as now. Some of them even formed friendships. I hope they are still friends, despite all the posturing by politicians.

There was only one tense occasion when I overheard a PRC student arrogantly tell an ROC student: “我们有几百万个导弹指向台湾!” (We have millions of missiles aimed at Taiwan!)

If I was the ROC student, I would have replied: 

 煮豆燃豆萁，

 豆在釜中泣。 

 本是同根生， 

 相煎何太急？ 

Millions might be a hyperbole but I am sure the People’s Republic of China has missiles aimed at Taiwan. I don’t think anyone wants them to be fired, except the western imperialists who are eager to provoke war between the Chinese people. I hope the folks in Beijing and Taipei are coolheaded to know that 鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利。