A proposal by former United Microelectronics Corp chairman Robert Tsao (
Just like the pan-blue camp, Tsao opposed the government's proposed referendum on joining the UN under the name "Taiwan."
While the pan-blue camp was surprisingly quiet on Tsao's proposal, the pan-green camp, led by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), gave a passionate response.
But Chen responded a bit too fast and made an error. The main thrust of Chen's attack was to question why Tsao only suggested a unification referendum and not an independence referendum, and accused Tsao of being biased and in favor of unification.
Chen seems to have forgotten that when he announced his "four noes" pledge he took the stance that Taiwan's status is undecided.
And even though he said that if Taiwan is to pursue independence, sovereignty has to be established in a referendum, he has also said since 2005 that Taiwan is already an independent state.
A referendum on Taiwan's independence would thus be unnecessary.
Tsao argues that there is no need to hold an independence referendum because Taiwan is already an independent state. He had thus already answered Chen's question, and he used the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) 1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future to do so.
It is clear that Tsao has thought a lot about the issue of Taiwan's sovereignty.
But this doesn't mean that his proposal is good.
According to his public letter in response to Chen's criticism, the main motive behind his suggestion was that a cross-strait war would break out if Taiwan declares de jure independence.
However, since China keeps threatening Taiwan with military action if that happens, believing that China will not launch a war if Taiwan gives up seeking de jure independence is a very questionable point of view.
Many people think that if we hold a referendum on a new constitution on changing the national title, Taiwan will achieve de jure independence. But Tsao clearly states that Taiwan will not become a de jure independent country unless the US, Japan and the EU recognize that Taiwan and China are two independent states without jurisdiction over each other or until Taiwan joins the UN.
It is thus clear that Tsao has thought hard on understanding the definition of de jure independence and that his interpretation is even more accurate than some radical independence supporters.
However, if de jure independence is interpreted this way, Tsao's worries about a possible cross-strait war will not stand as long as the US, Japan and the EU do not support UN membership for Taiwan.
For example, Taiwan can never become an independent country under international law. China thus cannot use a Taiwanese declaration of independence as an excuse for the use of force.
On the contrary, if the US, Japan and the EU support Taiwan's UN bid, Taiwan will legitimately become an independent country. But it also means that those countries will be willing to accept the consequences of opposing China.
The main reason China opposes de jure independence is that if Taiwan is part of China, a cross-strait war will be a domestic issue and therefore other countries cannot interfere in accordance with international law.
But if the international community recognizes Taiwan's statehood, Chinese military action against Taiwan will be considered an invasion.
China thus does not oppose Taiwanese independence to maintain cross-strait peace but to prevent Taiwan from gaining international protection following a declaration of independence, since that would give China a more beneficial position in the cross-strait war zone. From this point of view, Tsao has misjudged the issue.
Finally, although I don't support Tsao's proposal, I also disagree with Chen's criticism of him. In my opinion, Tsao's efforts have shown serious concern about Taiwan. We can disagree with his opinions, but we shouldn't doubt his motivations.
Instead, we should take his deeply felt opinions into consideration and create room for rational discussion about Taiwan.
Lin Cho-shui is a former Democratic Progressive Party legislator.
Translated by Ted Yang
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
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry