ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses some length the concept of ‘divided states’, by looking critically at prevalent views on the matter: that states have a historically defined ‘appropriate’ territory; and/or that criteria of nationality, religion or geopolitics Objectively’ determine their ‘proper’ borders. China is special in more than one respect: not only is it the world’s largest country in terms of population and one of the very largest with regard to territory. Even after unification the maintenance of a defensive posture will be important with a view to preventing an arms race in East Asia that could be very unpleasant and detrimental to China’s security. Generally, however, the colonization of China was significantly different from that of Africa, where direct colonial rule was established by the European powers over territory. The development of the divided China has been determined by several factors, external as well as domestic.
