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Flexibility of no help on issue of sovereignty

On July 20, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) passed a resolution withdrawing the consultative status of Liberal International (LI). This resolution shows -- yet again -- that China's assertion that it "gives hope to the people of Taiwan" is just lip service. Furthermore, it is another example of Beijing pressuring the international community, this time by leading a disciplinary action to silence LI.

To Taiwan, the ramifications could prove more serious than the loss of a diplomatic ally. This incident also proves that applying for UN membership under the name "Taiwan" is an urgent matter.

As the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a member of LI, the latter chose Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文), LI member and Examination Yuan president, as its representative to the UN Human Rights Council.

Yao spoke about Taiwan's bid for WHO membership, LI's work promoting human rights in various countries, and other topics. This prompted the wrath of China.

Beijing not only succeeded in having Yao's speech deleted from the meeting's minutes, it also had LI's consultative status canceled.

International NGOs that dare to help Taiwan do not escape Beijing's revenge.

Beijing not only has no intention of peacefully coexisting with Taiwan, it would rather harm our country than see it prosper.

China has exacted its revenge on LI and sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is off limits.

If democratic countries continue to appease Beijing and make compromises on the issue of Taiwan, the consequences for our nation could be more serious than the loss of diplomatic allies because people and organizations willing to speak up for Taiwan are likely to disappear into the woodwork as the costs of doing so become too much.

Taiwan's past flexibility on the issue of sovereignty in international contexts has only emboldened China to step up propaganda in support of its "one China" fantasy.

This has allowed China to make its "one China" concept international. As a result, many countries are completely apathetic to China's aggressive promotion of the "one China" principle.

This has gone so far as to lead UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to say that Taiwan is part of China, which is a blatant denial of the political reality.

LI being punished for supporting Taiwan was also a result of Taiwan's past flexibility allowing Beijing to increase its aggression.

When Taiwan passively defends itself by calmly stating the facts of the situation, the international community says it is "provoking" China.

Internationally, countries are increasingly gauging Beijing's reaction before deciding what stance to take on issues that involve Taiwan.

What all of this means is that we need to abandon the strategy of avoiding conflict by being flexible on our sovereignty.

It is time to make Taiwan's opinion on its sovereignty clear to the world.

I am afraid that it will become increasingly difficult for organizations and countries friendly to Taiwan to help our country find opportunities to speak out at meetings of UN agencies.

The only course of action is to let the UN know that Taiwan -- not only its government, but also its people -- wants to become a member.

This will force it to stop turning a blind eye to the fact that our population is not represented at the UN.

Lai I-chung is head of the Democratic Progressive Party's Department of International Affairs.

Translated by Anna Stiggelbout
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