China's warning is illogical
Vice President Annette Lu's (
Any person with common sense will regard China, not Taiwan, as the "troublemaker" here. A spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently reiterated that China will not give up [the option to use] force to unify Taiwan, and the force will be aimed at pro-independence people instead of 23 million "compatriots" in Taiwan.
This familiar warning is illogical for several reasons.
First, China always claims that the "Taiwan problem" is an internal matter. Why is the warning to Taiwan issued by the Ministry of Foreign (instead of Internal) Affairs?
Second, China keeps saying that Taiwan is an integral part of China. Why is it necessary for China to unify Taiwan and shoot it self in the foot?
Third, a poll conducted in Taiwan on Nov. 15 shows a 32.3 percent support rating for independence, 19.7 percent for maintaining the status quo and 21.8 percent for unification. Are China's modernized missiles and armed forces so advanced and selective that they kill only pro-independence Taiwanese?
Fourth, the China Civil War between the Chinese Communist Party and the republican KMT was settled in China in favor of the CCP 53 years ago. How can China blame Taiwan today for what the KMT did in China long, long ago?
Lastly, China boasts that it is a "peace-loving country." When will China show this virtue to Taiwan and the rest of the world?
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
This is your last battle
The people of Taiwan seem unaware and unprepared to deal with the ongoing battle across the Taiwan Strait, even though the battle has been going on for over half a century.
The stakes are huge. For the Chinese government, to regain control of Taiwan, just like the recovery of Hong Kong and Macau, is a glory that would help justify its legitimacy. For all Chinese, [an end to the conflict] means an end to a chapter of humiliation they are constantly reminded of in their recent history, and a humiliation that reinforces and solidifies the general nationalistic view of Chinese.
For Taiwan, this is a last battle. Its sovereignty, security, freedom and democracy are all at stake. However, the general public is not keen on the issue and the businessmen, politicians and media with pro-China agendas fudge the issue even further and dismantle the last psychological defense by hollowing out Taiwan's economy by disproportionately investing in China. China's dictators obviously see what is going on and take advantage of the weakness of a democratic Taiwan. Taiwan is walking on a tightrope. Taiwan is sitting in a transitional period after the 2000 power transfer. The old guard and its bureaucrats are lurking and ready to devour Taiwan again.
Taiwan definitely needs a leader that can lead Taiwan out of the political chaos and economical recession, not a self-converted follower that follows the so-called new middle pathway. The political accountability and responsibility is to take a stand and lead, not to follow. This is your last battle, my fellow Taiwanese compatriots.
John Yang
Columbus, OH
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.