Mon, Jan 19, 2004 page8

• Referendum can balance cross-strait relationship

  • By Liu Kuan-teh 劉冠德
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  In his latest book, titled Believe in Taiwan -- President A-bian's Report to the People, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) reviews in detail the cross-strait dynamics over the past three years and provides his perspectives on the future of China-Taiwan relations.

  Describing China's rise as a power in Asia as the realization of the Chinese "Monroe Doctrine," Chen says China has become a hegemonic power in Asia, generating mixed feelings among Asian nations.

  The notion of the Chinese "Monroe Doctrine" has resulted in an unbalanced cross-strait relationship in at least four ways:

  First, no Chinese leader dares to take the initiative to adjust Beijing's Taiwan policy for fear of being victimized in an internal power struggle. Since Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) unveiled the formula of "one country, two systems" in the early 1980s, it has become a political icon for the new generation of Chinese leaders to abide by.

  Nevertheless, the gradual opening of Taiwan's democracy, coupled with a growing national identity in Taiwan, has widened the gap between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

  The fact is, the "one country, two systems" formula is opposed by over 70 percent of Taiwanese people and does not enjoy international approval either. Conservatism, rigidity and the fear of facing reality have shaped Beijing's inflexible policy toward Taiwan.

  Second, the Chinese leadership has never had the courage to recognize the consolidation and deepening of Taiwan's democracy. While Chinese leaders have repeatedly stated that their "hopes lie with the Taiwanese compatriots," the people have countered their expectations with a grand transformation of economic liberalization and political democratization -- all within a span of less than 20 years.

  At a time when China has only just entered the embryonic stage of democracy characterized by local elections, people in Taiwan already enjoy the more progressive "popular sovereignty" of national referendums.

  Far outpaced by Taiwan's rapid democratic progress, China has no option but to suppress Taiwan's efforts to enhance its democracy.

  Third, China always lacks the courage to face the fact that there is one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait.

  In addition to threatening Taiwan's international place and rooting out the nation's diplomatic allies, Beijing has on many occasions used its influence to try to prevent Taiwan's accession to the WTO and its attempts to join the World Health Organization.

  Such moves not only have pushed the people of Taiwan further away from but also failed to draw Taiwan into the narrow confines of the empty "one China" framework.

  The fourth element contributing to an unbalanced cross-strait relationship is the military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait. The situation causes great concern among the Asia-Pacific countries and the US.

  These inherent factors that lead to an asymmetrical cross-strait relationship deserves global attention.

  To help balancing current cross-strait relations, a "peaceful referendum" can be regarded as the first step to demonstrate 23 million Taiwanese people's steadfast intention to call for a peaceful transformation of its relationship with China.

  With a new mandate on such a peaceful resolution on cross-strait disputes, whoever wins the March 20 presidential election in Taiwan will have full legitimacy to deal with Beijing for the sake of protecting Taiwan's interests. Pragmatic policies can be implemented based on parity and mutual benefit.

  This is the essence of maintaining the status quo.

  Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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