US President George W. Bush handed a big present to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (
It is understandable that the US needs to maintain close, cooperative relations with China on the issues of North Korea, terrorism and bilateral trade.
Bush might have misunderstood the nature of Taiwan's defensive referendum. Or he might have been trying to be courteous to his guest. But his remarks against Taiwan were a serious mistake.
First, referendums are merely a deepening of Taiwan's democracy and civil rights and are compatible with the values of democratic societies the world over, including the US. Second, the proposed referendum, which will oppose China's missile threat and its threats to use force against Taiwan, does not involve any change to the status quo.
There have been suggestions in Taiwan that the country's first-ever referendum should be on the sovereignty issue, but the government did not accept this idea.
Taiwan is facing criticism even though it is not suggesting a change to the status quo. This is unfair.
"No use of force by China, no independence for Taiwan" has always been the US government's policy toward the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The cross-strait situation, however, is a dynamic one. China is continuing with its military buildup and missile deployments against Taiwan. The situation has already been tipped out of balance.
A defensive referendum opposing the Chinese missile threat merely expresses a wish on the part of the Taiwanese people and reminds the world of China's military threat. The only change in the status quo that this referendum asks for is that China end its military threat.
It is as if Taiwan is being robbed by a knife-wielding thug and yet the police scold the nation for screaming for help. This is absurd.
Interaction between the two sides of the Strait ended because China refused to have any contact with President Chen Shui-bian (
A defensive referendum is a concrete action aimed at telling the Chinese government that military threats are a dead end, and that the people of Taiwan will not accept peace at gunpoint. Only when China faces up to the existence of Taiwan's government can the two sides talk. Taiwan cannot tango alone.
People should have the freedom to choose their destinies. This is a universal value of democratic societies. The international community condemned Indonesia for using force to suppress East Timor's pursuit of independence. The world has also voiced support for Aung San Suu Kyi, back under house arrest for her pursuit of freedom for her compatriots. The Dalai Lama also receives sympathy from around the world for his pursuit of religious freedoms for Tibet and for opposing China's oppression.
In contrast, Taiwan is being restrained from even expressing its desire to be free from missile threats.
The history of the US would have been very different if the French government had tried to appease Britain and refused to side with freedom and justice 200 years ago, when the American people were resisting British rule and seeking independence.
If Bush's remarks were merely meant to please his guest, then he should return to the proper track of freedom and democracy. If the US is trying to play a two-pronged strategy, then it should note that the balance has tipped. The situation could deteriorate beyond repair if the US makes no redress quickly.
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