Recently, during an international seminar on national defense held by the Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies, Andrew Scobell, a research professor from the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College, said that in facing China's military threat, Taiwan must demonstrate the determination to rise in self-defense in the event of invasion.
He also said that he believes that the strategy most capable of eliminating thoughts by the People's Liberation Army of invading is to display non-provocative war power. Moreover, Taiwan should continue to emphasize that its response to Chinese aggression will be a declaration of independence, he said.
This military scholar was not evasive about the question of possible change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He reminded both the ruling and opposition camps that there is no need to be too fearful of Chinese repercussions or to excessively retreat and compromise in the face of Chinese military threats.
Scobell said that war power can be demonstrated through large-scale exercises and through good training of military officers and soldiers. However, a demonstration of the determination to counter a Chinese invasion would require a display of determination and will by the leaders and the people of the country.
In other words, the leader must have the courage and determination to counter overwhelming political, military, diplomatic and economic pressure from China, and to defend the interests of the Taiwanese people. He must not be a phony peace advocate who retreats in the face of threats.
The pan-blue camp's fear of provoking Beijing, and its policy proposal about casting aside the issue of sovereignty for now for the sake of illusory peace, run counter to the strategy pointed out by Scobell.
With respect to the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally participated in by people across the country, the pan-blue camp not only did its best to blacken the name of the event and belittle it beforehand, but also criticized it afterwards. Such behavior is in total disregard of the prevalent sense of national identification and community that is built on mainstream popular will and the native consciousness of the nation. Members of the pan-blue camp ignore the fact that this sense of community and identity has become the core value of democratic Taiwan, and they even scornfully asked, "What is the big deal about holding hands."
Actually, the rally not only held special historical significance but also served as a "democratic stimulant" that warmed the hearts of the people. On this great day, more than 2 million people formed a human chain by holding hands at the same time to protest against China's deployment of missiles targeted at Taiwan. It was their way of humbly making the pro-peace and anti-war case and standing up against the bullying of the Chinese regime.
Scobell's wise words precisely explained the historical, strategic and cultural significance of the rally.
As a result of Chinese pressure and because of the political self-interests of various countries, the world has never treated Taiwan fairly -- though, during unofficial interactions, some countries have recognized and identified with the political and economic accomplishment of Taiwan from the standpoint of universal values, such as human rights, democracy and freedom.
However, in official international forums, Taiwan has not received the respect and equality it rightfully deserves. As a result of China's aggressive advocacy of the "one China" principle and its use of military and diplomatic leverage, Taiwan continues to be deemed part of China by most other countries. Moreover, it cannot be denied that as a result of the rapid economic growth of China over recent years, investors from many countries have been attracted into making investments in China. But the totalitarian nature of the Chinese regime has not changed despite the implementation of a capitalistic economic system in China. Beijing has never given up its ambitions to take over Taiwan.
Nonetheless, some members of the pan-blue camp continue to hold illusions about unification, denying the truthfulness of the "special state-to-state" discourse and hoping to establish an illusory "future China" through unification under a confederacy system. They completely disregard China's political and military intimidation.
Political parties can propose various policies in their efforts to win the presidential election. However, no party or individual should disregard national security and the people's welfare in view of their own interests. The threat posed by Chinese missiles is a reality. Such threats will only become more serious. Skepticism about the legitimacy of the referendum and the question, "Haven't we always faced military threats?" are unacceptable.
It is wrong to allow China to continue its missile expansion. To do so would be acting irresponsibly toward the country and the people. It would be extremely dangerous for anyone seeking the presidency to entertain this kind of thinking.
As indicated by Scobell, we must demonstrate non-provocative determination and war power. Both the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally and the referendum for peace on March 20 are substantive means of demonstrating the will of the people of Taiwan. No one's self-interest should be allowed to hinder the popular will.
Actually, both the 228 rally and the March 20 referendum are part of a pro-democracy campaign for the good of the country. They should not be considered the campaign strategy of any particular political party or ethnic group. As an example, in the late 1980s, the three Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, formed a 2 million-person human chain to protest against the Soviet Union and then held referendums to declare their independence from the Soviet Union, peacefully regaining sovereignty that had been lost for more than 50 years.
Popular participation in the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally was a demonstration and reflection of popular will. Through coverage by the international media, Taiwanese people's determination to oppose missiles and demand peace has been made known to the people of the world. In Tokyo alone, more than 30,000 Japanese took the initiative to voice support for the rally. The impact of the rally transcends national boundaries.
Hopefully, the pan-blue camp will pay attention to the hearts of the people and give recognition to the Hand-in-Hand Rally and the March 20 referendum.
Members of the pan-blue camp should learn to realize where the popular will lies and not oppose it for the sake of opposing it. Otherwise, they will be discarded by the people for disregarding the popular will.
The 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally has put behind us the sorrow and tears underlying the 228 Incident and built a new atmosphere for ethnic harmony. As the presidential election draws near, hopefully voters will continue to feel this sense of unity and cast their sacred votes in the first-ever referendum on March 20.
Only in this way can Taiwan receive the respect due a sovereign country. China will no longer ignore the power of the Taiwanese people and will think twice before acting in haste. This is the only way for the democratic development of the 23 million people of Taiwan to be protected.
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