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Society condemns Beijing's WTO move

China and Taiwan became members of the WTO on Nov. 10, 2001 and Jan. 1, 2002 respectively. As Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), an expert on international politics and law, pointed out in an October 2002 article entitled "The Status of WTO Members," the WTO operates on the principle of equality, not the so-called "one China" principle.

Chiang also pointed out that Taiwan entered the WTO under the name the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (TPKM) in accordance with Article 12 of the WTO agreement, while Hong Kong joined in accordance with Article 26 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. There are clear differences between the two.

Chiang strongly condemned China for applying the Hong Kong model -- a region over which China has sovereign powers -- to the TPKM within the WTO framework. Beijing's claim that cross-strait economic and trade relations within the WTO framework are a domestic matter lacks legal foundation and is completely illogical.

The influence of the WTO -- which many view as the UN of business -- is much greater than that of the UN, because the WTO is able to formulate trade regulations within the legal framework and thus resolve conflicts among its members.

After Taiwan's WTO accession, its requests for business information and negotiation with other members have been smooth and beneficial. Once a trade conflict ensues, it can be resolved on the basis of transparency and equality -- factors that are crucial to Taiwan's economic development.

To suppress Taiwan's economic development and international space, China has repeatedly resorted to legal warfare. Be-tween May and June 2005, the title of Taiwan's representative in the WTO's address book was changed arbitrarily. During a global fisheries' meeting in Geneva on March 1 and March 2, Chinese officials even pressured the WTO secretariat to change Taiwan's national title to "Taiwan Province, China" on all documents. In the face of Taiwan's protests, the secretariat merely "expressed its regret" but did not change the name.

This move was a severe infringement of Taiwan's rights as a WTO member and a violation of the fundamental spirit of the organization.

On the eve of the second anniversary of China's passage of the "Anti-Secession" Law, Beijing's attempts to suppress Taiwan were evident everywhere. Taiwan is an official member of the WTO. Based on the organization's fundamental spirit and principle of equality, we strongly condemn China's oppression and urge the public to see its true colors. No one should have any illusions about China.

Translated by Eddy Chang
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