To curry favor with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (
Wen responded on the spot -- as if he had received an invaluable treasure -- that he appreciated Bush's position. However, Bush was questioned in the US for kowtowing to communist China by sacrificing democratic Taiwan.
His remarks caused a greater uproar here, as the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) said that "President Chen Shui-bian's (
Self-interest has blinded the KMT.
First, the US has not changed its policy. It has only made it clearer. During a press briefing on Dec. 9, a White House official said that Washington does not want to continue the game of keeping an ambiguous policy anymore. Bush clearly told Wen that "we are going to be there" if Beijing attacks Taiwan by force. He especially pointed out that Bush's promise in April 2001 that he would do whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself remains unchanged.
The US also told Taiwan that Washington will not abandon its support for democracy and freedom in Taiwan. But it does not welcome any action by Taiwan that might change the status quo -- because its ultimate goal is to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Next, China's goal of annexing Taiwan remains unchanged, although its methods have changed. Wen himself reiterated Beijing's policy of "peaceful unification" and the "one country, two systems" model. Unlike former Chinese President Jiang Zemin (
Originally, Beijing had hoped that Bush could return to former US president Bill Clinton's "three noes" policy or announce opposition to Taiwanese independence. But Bush didn't do so, because that would be a real change in US policy. In fact, the country that really wants to change the status quo is China. Bush's comment against Chen was in fact empty talk.
Last, the problem in fact lies in Taiwan, which has neither knowledge of nor confidence in itself. Taiwan is already an independent democratic country, and does not have to change its status at all. It should continue its democratic development and should not be afraid of any external threats. Didn't Wen also say at the White House that Beijing respects the Taiwanese people's wish for democracy? Whether he was telling a lie or playing a trick, will he really dare to attack Taiwan by force?
Referendums are appeals to direct democracy to resolve significant domestic disagreements that the Legislative Yuan cannot resolve. Taiwan's political circles are trapped in a vicious battle over independence, and are very careless about the nation's democratic development.
Politicians should return to reason, and give up their vicious political struggles, so as to appropriately design both the referendum and constitutional systems in accordance with Taiwan's democratic development and the people's will.
Ruan Ming is a visiting professor at Tamkang University and a former special assistant to late general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Hu Yaobang (
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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