World to Beijing: Chill out!!!
It is apparent that China's autocrats have no understanding of how to settle disputes through negotiations and compromise. (proponents of China's WTO application, please note.) This is perhaps because of their unchallenged domestic power where declarations are issued without public discussion that all must obey. And there is little appreciation that most of the rest of the world are sovereign countries that operate as multiparty democracies.
In its latest histrionic outburst, authorities in China's Taiwan Affairs Office called Taiwan's Vice President-elect Annette Lu "scum of the Chinese nation" in reply to her comment on Hong Kong television that Taiwan should be only a "remote relative and close neighbor" of mainland China. A few months back, Chinese authorities screeched their complaints about a private visit to Australia by Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister, Wu Tzu-Dan. He received a visa to visit Australia at the invitation of some members of the Australian Parliament.
Beijing complained that allowing a Taiwanese minister to make such a visit was a violation of Australia's commitment to the "one China" policy. It was unclear whether retaliatory actions might be taken against Australia and what the nature might be.
The world bows to egomaniacs
China expressed similar outrage in 1994 when Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui made an unofficial visit to America to attend ceremonies at Cornell University. When the Dalai Lama visited Australia in 1996, China accused Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer of being "in league with the Devil" for agreeing to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader.
In making a mountain out a molehill, China's ambassador to Australia, Zhou Wenzhong issued an ominous declaration that, "whatever means we choose to use is China's internal affairs which brooks no foreign interference." This comes after Beijing insisted that Taiwan must not delay in negotiating terms for unification or face possible armed intervention.
Why all this huff and urgency about Taiwan? These histrionics are part of a consistent and clever diplomatic ruse. Of course, the Chinese have definite long-term objectives and are always trying to maneuver other countries into a position that accommodates Beijing's aims.
At the same time, President Jiang Zemin is under pressure if he wishes to leave his mark on Chinese history, as did his predecessors. Mao and Zhou Enlai led communist forces in the "liberation" of China. Deng Xiaoping shared in their glory and then left his imprint by initiating China's modernization process by opening to the outside world and overseeing recovery of Hong Kong and Macao. In sum, the world is at risk because of the desires of a dictatorial egomaniac.
Beijing's strategists could certainly benefit from some spin-doctors. Consider the following proposal. One announcement by China's leaders could prove that they can make mature and statesman-like decisions. It would also reassure Taiwanese that Beijing is truly concerned with their future, thereby simplifying the unification issue.
Imagine the impact of Jiang Zemin calling a press conference and admitting that China is facing difficulties in its application to the WTO. Noting that Taiwan's application is being held up until China becomes a member, President Jiang could then declare that in a gesture of solidarity, Taiwan should precede the mainland into the WTO.
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