Continued and unjustifiably negative commentary on the state of the nation's economy compelled President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen said that Taiwan was still one of the "Four Asian tigers" and rubbished claims that Taiwan has fallen far behind other regional economies.
The opposition, along with international business interests, has long been pushing for a complete lifting of cross-strait investment restrictions. The opposition would have us believe that only a full and unrestricted opening to China, as detailed in their "Chinese common market" policy, can cure the nation's supposed economic ills.
But apart from the security risk such a strategy presents, one only has to look at the example of the US to see how unbridled economic cooperation with China can weaken a country.
The US and the rest of the international community have rightly expressed their disgust and condemned the junta in Myanmar following its brutal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists.
But, apart from the odd slap on the wrist and an annual report here and there, the same powerful countries stay strangely silent on China's human rights abuses, even though scenarios similar to those in Myanmar occur on an almost daily basis. Human rights don't count in China when there are economic interests at stake, it appears.
The mantra-like calls that were emanating from Washington not so long ago for China to revalue its currency have decreased since a number of important Chinese academics made public threats in the international media about China cashing in its bonds and destabilizing the US economy.
Meanwhile, a reluctance to upset Beijing has also led the US to look disingenuous when it talks about supporting democracy. On the one hand members of the US administration traverse the globe touting Taiwan's democratic achievements and the US' belief in and support for emerging democracies, but on the other the US tells Taiwan it can't hold a referendum, for doing so may upset its giant undemocratic neighbor and make life difficult for the White House.
These are just the most recent examples of how the US' economic recklessness and blind consumption has given China the upper hand in bilateral relations. And the dream that economic development would lead to political change in China has proved to be no more than that.
Of course, the opposition in Taiwan considers that economic cooperation dovetails nicely with their stated aim of "eventual unification."
But for those of us who want to preserve Taiwan's democracy and see this nation thrive, complete integration with the Chinese economy would be a disaster. It would leave the nation even more vulnerable to communist threats and coercion. Hence the need to protect Taiwan's high-tech industries and resist the temptation to make a fast buck at the expense of national security.
If close economic ties can reduce the US to the role of a submissive customer, then what chance does Taiwan have?
Better to be a little tiger with sharp teeth than a snack for a giant dragon.
There is much evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is sending soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and is learning lessons for a future war against Taiwan. Until now, the CCP has claimed that they have not sent PLA personnel to support Russian aggression. On 18 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy announced that the CCP is supplying war supplies such as gunpowder, artillery, and weapons subcomponents to Russia. When Zelinskiy announced on 9 April that the Ukrainian Army had captured two Chinese nationals fighting with Russians on the front line with details
On a quiet lane in Taipei’s central Daan District (大安), an otherwise unremarkable high-rise is marked by a police guard and a tawdry A4 printout from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating an “embassy area.” Keen observers would see the emblem of the Holy See, one of Taiwan’s 12 so-called “diplomatic allies.” Unlike Taipei’s other embassies and quasi-consulates, no national flag flies there, nor is there a plaque indicating what country’s embassy this is. Visitors hoping to sign a condolence book for the late Pope Francis would instead have to visit the Italian Trade Office, adjacent to Taipei 101. The death of
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), joined by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), held a protest on Saturday on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei. They were essentially standing for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is anxious about the mass recall campaign against KMT legislators. President William Lai (賴清德) said that if the opposition parties truly wanted to fight dictatorship, they should do so in Tiananmen Square — and at the very least, refrain from groveling to Chinese officials during their visits to China, alluding to meetings between KMT members and Chinese authorities. Now that China has been defined as a foreign hostile force,
RSS