Last year, China passed its intimidating "Anti-Secession" Law and put further pressure on Taiwan through Washington. But it has also been offering unilateral preferential treatment and mutual cooperation benefits in order to win over some Taiwanese and so divide Taiwan. China is applying more and more resources to back up its Taiwan policy, which is becoming increasingly targeted.
How should the Taiwanese government deal with this situation? Like China, it should also adopt a two-pronged strategy, mixing a soft and tough approach.
As far as the hard approach is concerned, Taiwan should use the shared values and a consensus reached within Taiwan as a basis for cross-strait exchanges, and seek the support of the Chinese people and the global community.
First, Taiwan should build a domestic consensus concerning sovereignty, democracy and public opinion. Faced with mounting pressure from China, the governing and opposition parties should build a broader consensus rather than accentuating differences. This would prevent China from dividing or weakening Taiwan. This is a mission for the governing party and also a responsibility that the opposition parties must shoulder.
Taiwan should also seek potential allies within China to promote lasting cross-strait lasting peace and genuine friendship, rather than treating all Chinese and government officials as enemies. Moreover, the government should also make an effort to deepen relations with the international community.
Over the past few years, China has been constantly stressing its peaceful development. However, without democracy and freedom, China is unlikely to allow for real peace and sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region.
An undemocratic and closed political, economic and military colossus such as China makes the whole world suspicious of its intentions. An authoritarian China poses a challenge to the democratic community in the Asia-Pacific region and is a ticking time-bomb that threatens regional peace and prosperity. Therefore, it is the unshirkable responsibility of all nations in the Asia Pacific to help lead China toward a democratic, peaceful and prosperous rising.
Taiwan can play a key role in helping China pursue sustainable development, respect human rights and freedoms and march toward democracy. Specifically, Taiwan could set up US$1 million awards to promote Chinese democracy and human rights, in order to commend anyone around the world -- be they Chinese, Taiwanese or others -- who has made a contribution to improving conditions in China. Both individuals and institutions should be eligible. Certainly, Chinese national leaders, government officials or any non-governmental organizations should also be eligible.
Second, Taiwan should seek to organize an annual forum for Chinese people from around the world to discuss China's democratization and its violations of human rights. Third, the Taiwanese government could offer honorary citizenship and residency rights to those who have made special contributions to China's democracy, human rights and freedom, including Chinese people and overseas Chinese. Fourth, Taiwan should issue an annual report on the progress of China's human rights conditions and democratization.
As far as the soft approach is concerned, Taiwan must take the initiative in order to improve its disadvantaged position on the cross-strait political chessboard. The Taiwanese government should also take the initiative in studying the China-related benefits for the Taiwanese people, stress that it would like to engage in negotiations with China through a third party and establish a mutual framework for dealing with cross-strait trade and other issues.
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