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Why all the panic over Chen's comments?

The name of our nation is the Republic of China. This has long been the understanding of a majority of people in Taiwan. Premier Yu Shyi-kun, many DPP members and even President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) have all reiterated this truth.

It has been nearly 15 years since the two sides of the Taiwan Strait eased restrictions on exchanges on Nov. 2, 1987. Remarkable results have been achieved in social, cultural and economic exchanges.

In terms of social exchanges, the total visits made by people traveling between Taiwan and China has long surpassed Tai-wan's population. The number of visits made by Taiwanese visiting China exceeded 3 million in 2000 and was close to 3.5 million last year. This means, on average, one out of every seven people visited China -- quite a high proportion.

In terms of cultural exchanges, Taiwan's government had approved the import of 11,784,611 copies of printed publications, 42,420 copies of videos and radio programs and 63 feature films from China by the end of March. The numbers are indeed surprising.

As for economic exchanges, Taiwan-China trade totaled US$247.83 billion by the end of last year. Taiwan's exports to China accounted for US$209.72 billion and imports from China reached US$38.1 billion, leaving a trade surplus of US$171.62 billion for Taiwan. In terms of investment, the statistics released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that the approved investment cases totaled 24,160, worth US$19.89 billion. But according to China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the number of Taiwanese investment cases totaling 49,635, worth US$52.66 billion, have been agreed upon, while US$28.13 billion has been actually invested.

These figures show that China has become Taiwan's biggest investment destination and export market, as well as a major contributor to Taiwan's trade surplus. How can we ignore these facts?

Exchanges over the past 15 years have been a rocky road. The crux of the problem has been political manipulation. In the face of a nation that has a vast amount of land, rich resources, dense population, rapid economic development and a fatal attraction to the world -- especially Taiwan -- the government should not act impetuously since the Chinese regime is both high-handed and autocratic and is trying to gobble Taiwan up.

Taiwan should display composure and patience to make the circumstances conducive to its negotiations with China. It therefore can present a spirit of parity and dignity, maintain stability across the Strait, and ensure Taiwan's survival and development under any circumstances.

The ROC was established 91 years ago and has been an independent sovereign state since its inception. We claim that the two sides are on an equal footing. Taiwan is definitely not a province of the PRC, nor its local government. Taiwan will never become a second Hong Kong or Macau. All the above was clear and consistent China policy under the KMT government. It has also been a stance that the people of Taiwan have long identified with and supported.

So why has the public panicked over Chen's recent remarks on cross-strait relations?

Both government officials and those pushing for cross-strait exchanges with China are aware of Beijing's insolent attitude and its ignorance of Taiwanese people's feelings. But we should demonstrate more wisdom, will and tenacity to do what we should do. Our composure will keep the cross-strait situation relatively stable. I want to re-emphasize that the lack of goodwill on China's part is nothing new, nor will it change because of Chen's speech. So why should we fidget?

Yeh Chin-fong is a foundation fellow of the National Security Division at National Policy Foundation.

Translated by Jackie Lin
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