Since President Chen Shui-bian (
Since changing the national title and writing a new constitution had been what Chen upheld during last year's campaign for a second term, we wonder why he wanted to champion these two causes if he could not realize these goals. Hasn't he not only betrayed himself but also deceived those who voted for him?
The situation that former president Lee Teng-hui (
Although rectifying the country's name and adopting a new constitution are goals that most of us share, they do not have to be achieved immediately. So how can Chen, as a national leader, say that these goals cannot be achieved and that we shouldn't fool ourselves any longer? If he believes this, how can he face his supporters?
We all understand that people from the world over call us "Taiwanese." However, only Chen's government and pro-unification folks are seeking to obstinately hold on to the name of the Republic of China (ROC) rather than trying to face reality. How pathetic.
Twenty years ago, if you told an American you were a Chinese from the ROC, he would understand where you came from. But these days, you only have to say you are Chinese, and people think you come from the People's Republic of China -- which is the only China.
Times change and so do we. We should be proud of being Taiwanese from Taiwan, for it is easy to define what Taiwanese is.
Having taught in the US for 30 years, I have been able to connect with immigrants of first and second generation and understand what they think of themselves. It doesn't matter where one's ancestors are from or how many generations one has been in the US to be considered an American. For the second generation of Taiwanese immigrants, I believe that they consider themselves American as well, even though their parents came from Taiwan.
In terms of nationality, it has to be drawn clearly. Although ancestors of some of the Malaysian students studying in the US were from China, they would never claim to be "overseas Chinese." They would certainly maintain that they are Malaysians with ancestors from China.
Thus, in terms of nationality, the present-day Taiwanese living in Taiwan, anyone born in Taiwan and people who possess a Taiwanese ID are all considered Taiwanese. To make one critical distinction, China has been going through 50 years of communist rule so that it is definitely culturally -- and politically -- different from Taiwan.
The army veterans who came to Taiwan with Chiang Kai-shek (
Taiwan is, after all, a democracy and everyone must learn to identify themselves with the nation, put aside their differences and protect the country. No matter which party comes to power, we will give our full support as long as its policy is in line with public opinion, its leader is firm in his or her beliefs and is able to lead the people toward independence, democracy, prosperity and stability.
Juang Jeng-nan is a professor of electric engineering at Mercer University in Georgia.
TRANSLATED BY DANIEL CHENG
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