Now Taipei is saying that these two entities are ''states'' within one nation. This nuance is really quite slight but has touched a very raw nerve. The ''two states'' notion has always been offensive to Beijing's assumption of its own sole legitimacy. But having recognized the reality of two Korean states, it is on rather weak ground in denying similar status to a part of a divided China. Indeed, it could be argued that unification would be easier if Beijing acknowledged the reality of two states within China and that, by not doing so, it promotes the concept of independence for Taiwan.
Independence is quite different from ''two Chinas'' as a goal.
Taiwan as a nation-state would be as separate as Vietnam is from China or Austria from Germany. Not only is Beijing too mesmerized by its self-importance to recognize two states. It also fears that Mr. Lee's hidden agenda is to use ''two Chinas'' as a stepping stone to Taiwan's independence. Mr. Lee's persona, his identification as a Taiwanese and his close ties with Japan are seen as the embodiment of separatism. The timing of Mr. Lee's ''two states'' remarks seems to have been designed to entrench his tough line in official policy well before he steps down next year.