Looking back at the Korea summit

The greatest beneficiary of the summit, however, appears to be China. North Korea's pro-Beijing foreign policy and the increasingly pro-China tilt of South Korea have put Beijing in a favorable geographical position -- letting it get one step closer in its bid to become Asia's hegemonist. Still, China cannot ignore the international trend towards peaceful resolution of conflicts; otherwise the "China threat" theory will become reality.

Kim Dae-jung's (金大中) "Sunshine Policy," the approval of the people on both sides, Pyongyang's goodwill and its treatment of the South as an equal have all helped ease tensions between the two Koreas. In contrast, by continuing to insist on its "one China" principle, Beijing has completely disregarded the goodwill and sincerity of Taiwan's new government.

"If the two Koreas can do it, why can't the two sides across the Taiwan Strait?" has been an oft-repeated question of late. The answer is because China has insisted on its unilateral interests; it has failed to respond to Taiwan's goodwill; and it is not prepared to treat Taiwan as an equal. Now it the time for the PRC to follow the global trend of reconciliation, abide by the UN Charter's principle of resolving disputes peacefully, abandon its old Cold War thinking and relate to Taiwan on a basis of parity and mutual benefit.

Only then can we maintain peace in the Strait, the Asia Pacific and the entire world. Only then can we promote co-existence and shared prosperity for Taiwan and China.

Chen Lung-chu is chairman of the Chen Lung-chu New Century Foundation.