President Chen Shui-bian (
Some KMT legislators took advantage of the incident by criticizing the government for its poor handling of the matter, while at the same time arguing that Chen should be focusing on the economy instead of traveling. Some also criticized the Presidential Office and the National Security Council for bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in arranging the trip. The opposition's move was nothing but an ugly and vicious political struggle aimed at undermining the administration's integrity.
Chen's visit had been planned for months and had the news not been leaked, the trip would have gone ahead as planned. As well as being a diplomatic breakthrough, the trip would have aided the government's policy of encouraging investment in Southeast Asian countries, thereby deepening trade relations with these countries and reducing the outflow of capital to China.
However, there is an argument that attempts by the nation's leaders to secretly travel abroad merely antagonizes Beijing and destabilizes already fragile cross-strait relations. China's foreign ministry responded quickly to news that Chen was planning a trip to Indonesia, saying, "Chen is not allowed to travel abroad." This is a ridiculous statement for it encroaches upon the rights of a democratically elected president.
Problems with this "don't rock the boat" argument weaken its persuasiveness. Under the present diplomatic conditions, in which sovereignty is a pretext for China's continual threats and suppression of international sympathy for Taiwan, Taiwan's foreign policy must transform to be more comprehensive and pluralistic. In addition to state visits to diplomatic allies, Chen should find ways to travel abroad as much as possible with an aim to demonstrate Taiwan's independent sovereignty.
Taiwan cannot afford to draw on isolationist, self-centered conservative thinking. Precisely because Taiwan has very limited resources, it should explore a variety of channels to intensively open new battlefields outside of the international mainstream establishment. Foreign policy, therefore, should consist of pragmatic strategies such as extensive participation in international activities, as well as a focus on sustainable, long-term friendships.
In addition to attempts to explore relations with governmental and non-governmental organizations, it is also imperative for Chen to go on state visits with allies in Central America and Africa to express appreciation for their support. We should also encourage the government to make better use of the country's economic advantages to consolidate its trade partnerships with countries that have no official relationship with Taipei.
Taiwan has won international praise for its peaceful transfer of power. That transfer has also put the country in line with the global trend of democratization. In this regard, Chen's official and unofficial visits abroad will highlight the significance of Taiwan's political miracle.
Therefore, we have to move beyond the narrow focus on political interests or the China factor to a focus on creating long-term, stable relationships with members of the international community.
Only by reaching out to the world can the international community acknowledge how successful the nation's democratic achievement is and how determined we are to become a loyal supporter of international order.
Liu Kuan-teh is a political commentator based in Taipei.
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