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Letters: Taiwan can benefit from law

The dogmatism and tenacity of Chinese nationalism -- both inside and outside of Taiwan -- exploit cultural identities to serve various interests. Political factors can compound the "unenforceability" of a nation's statehood. With these two points in mind, I'd like to pose a question: What can public international law and debating Taiwan's status really do for Taiwan and the Taiwanese?

Chen Lung-chu's (陳隆志) article "The Evolution of Taiwan's Statehood," (Aug. 9, page 8) serves as a helpful example of what public international law can do for Taiwan. It can supplement a cogent historical narrative and contribute to the consolidation of the Taiwanese identity. It can -- together with other disciplines such as sociology, culture and history -- play a complementary role in legitimizing and explaining Taiwan's independent development to insiders and observers alike; in fact, mere observers may become interested friends as a result.

Most importantly, it can repudiate all attempts by Chinese nationalism to justify the subjugation and oppression of Taiwan via legal-historical dialogue and the use of legal instruments such as Beijing's "Anti-Secession" Law.

Amy Chen

Brisbane, Australia

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