Over the past half century, Taiwan's sovereignty has been violated by the Republic of China (ROC), the People's Republic of China and neglected by most of the world.
As a result, establishing an independent "Republic of Taiwan" is a dream long held by the majority of the people of Taiwan. The concept entails a free, democratic and de jure independent Taiwan, a new constitution and rectifying the national title from "Republic of China" to "Republic of Taiwan" or "Taiwan."
The US, as the sole remaining superpower, should play a more proactive role in making this dream come true. Here is why:
At the end of World War II, in 1945, the US and its allies carelessly turned Taiwan (a Japanese colony since 1895) over to the control of Chiang Kai-Shek's (
Immediately, Chiang's KMT declared what became the longest period of martial law in modern history. The terror of martial law lasted from 1947 to 1987.
In 1949, China's nationalists, having lost the Chinese Civil War to Mao Zedong's (
Most countries in the world kept silent about the 228 Massacre -- the Taiwanese "holocaust." Chiang's bloody deeds were never condemned.
During these dark times, under the rule of the KMT, the Taiwanese lived with very limited political freedom and human rights despite their continuous attempts to participate in the political process.
Just before the lifting of martial law in May 1987, the first Taiwanese political party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was established with the help of various pressure groups, including the overseas Taiwanese organizations and international supporters.
Thirteen years later, in March 2000, the DPP defeated the KMT in the presidential election. President Chen Shui-bian (
Last March, Chen was re-elected. Not only did his re-election seal the fate of the pro-Chinese parties such as the KMT and the People First Party, it was also a major victory for constitutional reform in Taiwan.
Taiwan still functions under the old ROC constitution, but the majority of the electorate voted for Chen -- a staunch advocate of a new constitution for Taiwan.
It is just a matter of time before a new Taiwan under a new name, with a new constitution will emerge. The time is ripe for the people of Taiwan to reclaim their own country and give it the name "Republic of Taiwan."
The US should now recognize this new Taiwan.
China continues to state that it will attack Taiwan if it proclaims independence. China has about 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan, keeping peace-hungry Taiwanese in a state of daily terror. The number of missiles is increasing every year.
Proclaiming independence is nothing more than a logical extension of Taiwan's democratic development. A referendum would be an appropriate vehicle and a peaceful way to let the people of Taiwan determine their own future.
Beijing will not be amused, of course. And that is where the US should remain firm. China will be less likely to engage Taiwan in armed military conflict if the US clearly states that it welcomes an independent "Republic of Taiwan" and expresses its explicit support for a democratic referendum to determine Taiwan's future.
The US needs to make it crystal clear to China that it will rally to Taiwan's side in case of an attack by China -- even if Taiwan declares independence. An ambiguous US policy toward China and Taiwan will lead to a much greater possibility of a disastrous war.
In the meantime, the free world needs to cease falling for the lies and propaganda of communist China as it claims a territory that it does not have the right to annex.
Why should the US support the "Republic of Taiwan"? The US and Taiwan share a strong ideology with regard to democracy, free enterprise, religious freedom and human rights -- all freedoms that are habitually trampled on by China.
If the US wishes to remain the champion of democracy and freedom, what better demonstration of American values is there than for the US to support a "Republic of Taiwan?" What better exercise in democracy?
Imagine the outcome of not standing up to fight for this "Republic of Taiwan" -- the US would lose credibility in the free world. And if we let a large "terrorist state" annex its small neighbor, we will lose a strategic pillar in Southeast Asia.
The creation of an independent "Republic of Taiwan" will be a boost to all freedom-loving people around the world. We need to make it happen -- here in the US and in the "Republic of Taiwan."
Michael Yeun
Paramus, New Jersey
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EDITORIAL CARTOON
Ten years ago, when I was an undergraduate at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), there was a referendum on whether to remove a statue of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) from the campus. I wrote to the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) urging faculty, staff and students to vote for its removal. Eventually, the statue was removed from the university. Today, I am filled with emotion at seeing students at Soochow University democratically remove their own statue of Chiang, a figure of authoritarian rule, after it was on display for 48 years The timing is noteworthy, with the nine-in-one local elections approaching.
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