The Senkaku/Diaoyu/Diaoyutai Islands, an area claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan, have recently become the center of attention for stirring up nationalist sentiment in the three countries. Helen Gao reported on an unnoticed story that could have big ramifications:

• Despite nationalist outbursts in China, in an online poll that was quickly taken down by the government, 40% of Chinese said that if a child was born on the islands they would want Taiwanese nationalism for them.
• Hong Kong and Japan were the next most popular. China was the least favoured choice in the Chinese poll.
• This unexpected result appears to be due to frustrations with the ruling communist party of China.
• Respondents of the poll pointed to the better standards of living in other countries as the reason for their choice.
• However they remained loyal to China, and considered themselves patriots.

In a time when non-democratic regimes seem to be facing their end, it’s a small story that might signal a much more tumultuous future for Asia. You should read it here.

Source: The Atlantic

Via: Marginal Revolution