A democracy cannot exist without freedom of expression, just like a body cannot survive without eating. To live, we must eat; to have democracy, we must have freedom of speech.
If the talk of "provocative" behavior toward China that comes from US officials holds water in reference to Taiwanese conducting a referendum, then morality must equally be considered a matter of provocation toward thugs, and democracy itself must be a provocation toward dictatorships.
The day after Taiwan's referendum on applying for UN membership is the 233rd anniversary of the speech by American patriot Patrick Henry in which he coined the famous words "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
Henry called on Americans to start a revolution for independence from Britain. Founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were present when Henry made his speech.
The upcoming referendums are expressions of Taiwanese public opinion. The wishes of Taiwanese are simpler and more fundamental than those in the American colonies in the 18th century.
It's a pity that now, more than 200 years after Henry's famous words, the Taiwanese desire to exercise their right to freedom of political expression is met with comments by the US secretary of state to the effect that it is a "provocative policy."
It's truly regrettable that the political ideals behind the creation of the US have fallen so far.
China fears referendums, and US politicians fear Taiwan's UN referendum.
This, however, is not the end for Taiwan's democracy and freedom, but rather a turning point.
The real reason the US is calling the UN referendum provocative is that the legitimacy of the referendum leaves them with no means to reject its outcome. Hence, the referendum has nothing to do with provocation.
Instead, it is Taiwan's best weapon for defending its freedom. Whether Taiwanese will be democratic and free masters of their own fate, or emasculate themselves to become slaves of the US and Chinese will be decided by their courage in using this treasure.
The reason Taiwan has long been on the side of the US is that the two countries share common values and interests. If US politicians want to be Chinese mouthpieces on all kinds of issues and put pressure on Taiwan, then the Taiwanese and the Americans will have fewer shared values and interests.
The US is going too far in transmitting China's edicts.
Washington's behavior might even make Taiwanese wonder if it is, in fact, US politicians who are trying to keep Taiwanese from deciding their own future in order to profit from the dispute and reap benefits from both sides.
By causing this misunderstanding among Taiwanese, US politicians have hurt the Taiwanese public's faith in their country. The result is that Taiwanese are being gradually pushed toward China.
This is a tragedy for Taiwan and it is also damaging to US interests and democracy around the world.
This is perhaps also China's ultimate motive for placing pressure on the US to make Taiwan obedient.
Lin Chia is an independent commentator.
Translated by Anna Stiggelbout
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