The troubles surrounding President Chen Shui-bian's (
The tragedy this time lies mainly in the US' restrictions, since Chinese pressure and blue camp obstruction is part of the daily routine. It is indeed a tragedy for Taiwan that the US, an ideological ally, would strike out at it. In this situation, it was heroic not to give in and shrink away from offending one's ally in order to maintain national dignity.
The US has still not explained the reasons for its restrictions on Chen's transit through the country, but it probably had to do with two issues -- that the US may have offended Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) during his recent visit to Washington and is seeking to make amends, and that Chen may have angered US President George W. Bush with his handling of the National Unification Council (NUC) and the US is seeking payback.
Whatever the reason, it is connected to China, since the US needs China's cooperation on some international issues, in particular when it comes to Iran. Some White House officials say they are not afraid of China. If this is so, then the reason for the US snub is tied to the abolition of the NUC. But even this is linked to the fact that the US fears the move has offended China.
Had Chen abolished the NUC in March last year, when China passed its "Anti-secession" Law, the US probably wouldn't have had anything to say. But in letting a year pass before responding, did Taiwan touch on something that by now is considered taboo? The problem is that during the past year, China has made no show of wanting to change its mind concerning the "Anti-secession" Law, it has continued to add to its missile stock aimed at Taiwan and it has tightened its "united front" strategy.
Pray ask, if China, Cuba or international terrorists co-opted the US opposition for an attack on the ruling party and divided the US public, would Bush have waited a whole year before responding?
Chen is the popularly elected president of Taiwan, and the US government is constantly urging China to engage with Taiwan's democratically elected government, something China is unwilling to do. When the US government treats Taiwan's president with less than the full respect he deserves, isn't this tantamount to playing into the hands of China?
Current US policy reflects short-term needs and interests and has not been well thought through. This kind of opposition and conflict between democratic countries occurs from time to time, but should not be to the detriment of long-term ties.
When it comes to fighting international communism and terrorism, however, Taiwan and the US' long-term interests converge. Chen should thus transit through the US on his way home, and the US should accord him a suitable welcome.
The spat surrounding Chen's trip has also opened the possibility of domestic change in Taiwan. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
If Ma is elected president in 2008, he will enjoy the fruits of Chen's diplomacy. Conversely, if Taiwan and Chen are humiliated, Ma will have to deal with that too. It is to be hoped that this trip will awaken Taiwanese consciousness and promote domestic unity.
Paul Lin is a political commentator based in New York.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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
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.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, people have been asking if Taiwan is the next Ukraine. At a G7 meeting of national leaders in January, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that Taiwan “could be the next Ukraine” if Chinese aggression is not checked. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that if Russia is not defeated, then “today, it’s Ukraine, tomorrow it can be Taiwan.” China does not like this rhetoric. Its diplomats ask people to stop saying “Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow.” However, the rhetoric and stated ambition of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on Taiwan shows strong parallels with