Taiwan-US-China relations have entered a period of subtle readjustment since US President George W. Bush took office. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (
Bill Clinton's China policy was based on the "one China" principle and three Sino-American communiques, balanced by the Taiwan Relations Act. However, Clinton defined China as a strategic partner as a way of promoting change in China through stronger relations with Beijing. To placate Beijing, Clinton announced his "three no's" policy in Shanghai in 1998 -- no to supporting Taiwan independence, no to the idea of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and no to Taiwan's participation in international organizations that require statehood for membership. By leaning toward Beijing, despite China's attempt to intimidate Taiwan with the 1996 missile tests, Clinton jeopardized the US-China-Taiwan strategic balance. As a result, he was severely criticized in Congress, especially by Republicans who believed that his pampering of Beijing was incompatible with US interests and deleterious to Taiwan's interests.
Clinton was aware of the consequences of his "three no's" policy. That was why he tried to give Taiwan its due by saying in March 1999 that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should resolve their differences peacefully and that any solution must have the assent of the people of Taiwan. But despite his repair efforts, the harm was already done. In particular, the policy of not allowing Taiwan to enter international organizations is not only detrimental to Taiwan's interests but does not help the rest of the world.
Taiwan is an example for developing nations working to achieve economic development and develop democracy, freedom and a respect for human rights. Taiwan is also able and willing to contribute to the international community, but has rarely been given the proper channels to do so. For example, it was blocked from contributing to aid and rescue programs following the Kosovo conflict and the recent earthquake in India. Taiwan's absence from an organization such as the WTO is a major loss, not just for Taiwan, but for the WTO itself. Taiwan also needs resources and assistance from the international community. Due to its exclusion from the World Health Organization, Taiwan has not been able to access important information on contagious diseases. This poses a serious threat to the health of the people of Taiwan.
Depriving Taiwan of the right to participate in the international community is a violation of human rights and serves no purpose at all except to help China lay siege to Taiwan.
The Bush administration is correcting Clinton's wishful thinking about China. Seeing that Beijing's superpower ambitions are posing a threat to security in the Asia-Pacific region, Bush has pragmatically redefined China as a strategic competitor. While meeting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Monday, Bush stressed that the US' "one China" policy remains unchanged, but that he would emphasize fairness and consistency -- an indication that he will readjust the policy to strike a balance between the two sides of the Strait. US Secretary of State Colin Powell also said during recent testimony before the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee that Taiwan could participate in international organizations in a non-state capacity.
Clinton's "three no's" policy was a mistake. We would be happy to see the US government correct a policy that so confused friends and foes, and build a balanced relationship with the two sides of the Strait.
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