Breaking: Taiwan Resolves To Declare Independence

Taiwan's parliament has taken steps that are sure to piss off the Communist Chinese. They passed a resolution that asserts the island's sovereignty and independence from mainland China.

The Communists, of course, see Taiwan as nothing more than a rogue province and has often threatened military force if an official declaration of independence is made.

Taiwan's ruling party approved a resolution Sunday underscoring the island's sovereignty and calling for steps to turn it into a 'normal country,' a status strongly resisted by China.

The resolution was the more moderate of two versions put to a congress of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive (nyse: PGR - news - people ) Party (DPP).

It urged the party to 'take active steps such as rectifying the country's name, the enactment of a new constitution as soon as possible and joining the United Nations ... in order to turn Taiwan into a 'normal country'.'

The resolution is regarded as largely aspirational and is not expected to have an immediate impact on government policy.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 at the end of a civil war but Beijing still regards the island as a renegade province, and has repeatedly threatened an invasion should Taipei declare formal independence.