Blame both sides
I commend Chuang Po-lin on his view that China and Taiwan should set realistic objectives and start talks on practical administrative issues first ("China and Taiwan Should Set Talks Aims," August 7). Unfortunately however, both sides of the Taiwan Strait are still playing with words, taking no concrete action towards reconciliation. I believe both sides are to be blamed for the lack of progress in cross-strait relations.
So far, Beijing has done a poor job in insisting that Taiwan has to accept the "one China" principle before cross-strait talks can resume. Beijing lacks flexibility and creativity in conveying to the Taiwanese public and Taipei's new government what it means by "one China." Beijing should explain in straightforward language that "one China" does not refer to the People's Republic of China (PRC), but a future united China that encompasses both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. This future-oriented interpretation is more likely to be accepted by the Taiwanese public and government.
Chuang invoked Taipei's 1991 Guidelines for National Unification and indicated that it could be a good basis for cross-strait talks, with each side having their own interpretations of "one China." But the problem is that since the final years of the presidency of Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Taiwan has become less enthusiastic about "national unification" with the Chinese mainland, and the new government of Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is simply not committed to "national unification." Though the Guidelines for National Unification will not be revised and the National Unification Council not be abolished in the short term, they have been shelved or sidelined with an uncertain future. So far, only campaign-style empty promises are heard without concrete action in Taiwan.
For cross-strait talks to resume, both sides may have to take a step back. Beijing needs to reframe its "one China" principle. In dealing with Taiwan, this "one China" cannot be the PRC, but only a unified China that includes both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. Beijing leaders have to face the reality that the ROC government still exists and in fact has legitimacy and sovereignty over the Taiwan area.
As for Taiwan's part, I do not think it would be politically dangerous for President Chen to loudly proclaim that the Taiwanese are Chinese. Taipei must understand that it is politically unfeasible for Beijing's rulers to grant the cross-strait talks before Taiwan's leaders admit that they are Chinese and that Taiwan is still committed to future unification with the Chinese mainland.
If Beijing officially declares that the "one China" means a future unified China, and if President Chen openly claims that the Taiwanese are also Chinese who do not seek permanent separation of Taiwan from China, then both sides may soon find face-saving steps to begin further talks on future cross-straits relations.
Zhiqun Zhu
Columbia, South Carolina
Humiliation By now, Taiwanese people must have learned enough about how their democratically elected president will be treated by the US government while he stays overnight in Los Angeles today en route to his Central American and African trip. The State Department of the US government has forced President Chen to remain in his hotel room. He is "advised" not to meet with any media, nor US officials, not even elected US lawmakers. House representatives Dana Rourabacher and Sam Gejdenson, among many others congressmen, were "unofficially persuaded" by the State Department not to meet with Chen in whatever capacity. Well, if Chen, Taiwan's president, is to be humiliated in a Los Angeles hotel like in a house arrest by the US government, he might as well stay overnight in the EVA jumbo jet with dignity. The dignity of Taiwan should never be compromised, no matter who the president is. James Chou
Vancouver, Canada How impolite At almost every concert that I have attended, a mobile phone always rings and some one always coughs repeatedly. Not only do the ringing and coughing noises make the musicians angry, but the noise also destroys the enjoyable atmosphere. I think the government should make a law to forbid people who go to concert halls from carrying mobile phones. If we do not have the leisure nor mood for musical enjoyment, then we should not interfere with other people's enjoyment of music. The government should also educate the public to have the appropriate attitude when listening to a performance. Chen chih-ting
Taipei
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