A column in a Hong Kong paper which usually parrots Chinese government's views also tried to get Beijing out of a sticky situation. According to the column, China made the threat because the two sides will waste resources and manpower with their continuing military build up if unification is put off any longer.
This line of reasoning runs counter to normal logic. As long as China denounces the use of force, the two sides' military escalation will cease. China will surely resort to all her tricks to get her hands on Taiwan.
The people of Taiwan must stand together to reject China's insults and publicize Taiwan's democratic experience within China. Only an end to the one-party totalitarianism in China will secure Taiwan's safety and democracy.
The international community should also take lessons from the past. Pacifism toward militarism leads to endless troubles. Today, the international community must once again defend democratic Taiwan.
Paul Lin is a commentator on Hong Kong issues who currently resides in New York.
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