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An absurd myth and wicked sophistry

The SARS storm has taught society a lesson and put the nation's international status to the test. Taiwan -- the Republic of China (ROC) -- and the People's Republic of China (PRC) are two different countries. But problems caused by the shared word "China" have put Taiwan in a perplexing maze and obstructed its development.

The identity problem has always existed. Of course, there are international factors behind our inability to establish the nation's status. For example, the PRC, which has replaced the ROC in the international community, is reluctant to loosen its grip and other nations are constrained by the "one China" principle.

Domestic factors, on the other hand, should be imputed to the pan-China KMT's political inclinations, the concepts molded by education during its long-time rule and the evil intentions harbored by politicians and powerful officials.

In the past, the KMT used its Chinese ideology to take a grip on power, imposing martial law on the basis of minority rule. Democratization existed in name only. The party further used the misconception of gaining stability by maintaining the status quo to solidify its power. The Taiwan-China issue dragging on for half a century has become an absurd myth and wicked sophistry.

Taiwan has seen two presidential elections. The first time, the KMT's Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) won the election, giving the people of Taiwan a result that was not satisfactory but acceptable -- local legitimization of alien rule. The second time, the DPP's Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was elected, bringing a democratic baptism of the transfer of political power.

If such a process can plant Taiwanese rule in this soil, polish the government's national ideology and further establish a nation that is supported by Taiwanese people, different from China in the legal aspect and known to other nations in the world, then it definitely can gradually defuse the sense of crisis in which people feel uncertain about the future because the nation is confined to the remnants of China. Furthermore, a sense of glory in the nation will be shaped among the people.

All ethnic groups in Taiwan will not only become more harmonious amid the new sense of gemeinschaft created by the newly structured history, but also develop genuine amicability toward the PRC. Taiwan-ese people would become happy to see China prosper economically and develop democracy as another country.

But look at the actual situation. The pro-China KMT seems to deny Taiwan a real opportunity for national development. Its splinter political parties fail to reflect on the evil-doings during the KMT's long-time one-party rule.

Moreover, the pan-blues continue to view Taiwan as the exclusive domain of their power. They neglect the fact that only when they are in opposition at an appropriate time can they provide the conditions for reconstruction and the launch of a quiet revolution. The movements of some academic and media circles that echo the consciousness of alien rule are increasing the risk of restoration of the old monarchy.

The people of Taiwan should learn to be the boss of the nation and know more about the rights and responsibilities in establishing their own nation. As for the political and military members of the pro-China KMT who still yearn for alien rule -- and even the bureaucracy -- should abandon the misconception of absolute rule. Learn how to be in opposition first. Learn to be Taiwanese first. Only this is the road to redemption.

Lee Min-yung is a poet and president of the Taiwan Peace Foundation.

Translated by Jackie Lin
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