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Harmony is crucial for Taiwan to prosper

As Taiwan is being gradually pushed to the verge of possible social collapse prompted by disheartening political conflicts in the past four years, it is imperative that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) step out to sincerely proclaim the urgent need of ethnic harmony in this island nation of cultural and linguistic diversity.

As the whole nation is sim-mering with uncertainties and speculations of all sorts after the presidential election, it is urgent that our president and his staff rack their brains to try to eliminate ethnic tension.

A possible presidential doctrine aiming at preserving ethnic harmony presented a feasible solution. It is indeed encouraging that Chen is willing to react to the public's expectations to eliminate ethnic tensions by proposing a new doctrine on "Taiwanese awareness and localization" during his May 20 inauguration speech. Indeed, all the people of Taiwan, other than the 1.9 percent Aboriginal people, are ethnically associated with the Chinese culture. As an immigrant state, all of those residing on this beautiful island from the eighteenth century onward should in harmony seek a common cause and vision.

In the past five decades, all of Taiwan's ethnic groups have thrived and made this a harmonious and promising nation, adopting advanced technologies, raising per-capita GNP, modernizing education and achieving democracy. These accomplishments are envied all over the world.

All these accomplishments unfortunately have been overshadowed by the impact of rampant political conflicts. It is fair to say that both the ruling and the opposition parties should bear the responsibility for the social upheavals and instability.

For a desirable and immediate solution, Chen should stick to his visionary promise made during a speech at the starting ceremony of the annual Matsu pilgrimage at Tachia Chenlan Temple in Taichung County on April 17: "[To learn] how to represent the people with humility and to serve with wisdom as a leader, and strive to work in harmony with the opposition parties and to achieve lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait."

This gracious pledge is compatible with the calling for peace formerly proposed by Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) and DPP Legislator Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄).

Chen should also avoid the "blind spot" that he confessed he had developed, which sparked the misinterpretation of excessive "localization" that many hardnosed DPP legislators from different factions have been pursuing. In striking contrast, during this age of "globalization," many countries that succeed best are those developing the best "glocalization" -- taking the best global innovations, styles and practices and molding them with their own culture.

We have high hopes that Chen will actively rejuvenate ethics and traditional values in this degenerating society. Former US secretary of education Richard Riley proposed to then-president Bill Clinton three mandates for social rejuvenation: Go back to ethics and traditional values, enhance family ethics, and ensure parental involvement in education. All these practices will also help build character in the younger generation. All these ongoing social and educational campaigns have drastically boosted social viability and stability.

With the growing rash of fraud and kidnappings to extort money from victims, together with our social and political instability, it is gratifying that Chen has begun to appreciate what Lao Tzu admonished, "Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish."

On May 20, 2000, Chen claimed himself to be "a president of all the people." It is critical now, after four years, that he upholds the doctrine of ethnic harmony to not only safeguard but also reinforce the holistic prosperity of Taiwan.

Li Chen-ching is dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shih Hsin University.
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