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LETTERS: Diplomatic springtime?

Seeking a peaceful life and creating economic prosperity are the hope of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. But these aims cannot be achieved unless the two governments respect each other and negotiate on equal terms. For far too long, Taiwan has in good faith sought to work toward that end; however, these efforts have been marred by China’s political framework and hostility toward Taiwanese. If adherence to quasi-metaphysical principles could be abandoned, negotiations based on respect and equality could be possible.

Last month, Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) purportedly expressed his good faith vis-a-vis Taiwan, but history has shown us that such overtures were nothing more than a continuing attempt to lasso Taiwan and diminish its international space.

At the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Beijing requested that the OECD force out Taiwan through a memorandum of understanding, while at the WHO it successfully barred Taiwan from even participating at the World Health Assembly.

As for military deployment and the Chinese missiles targeting Taiwan, the ambition of unifying “China” has never disappeared.

Given all this, one can be forgiven for doubting the sincerity of the government in Beijing when it talks peace and makes it impossible for the leadership in Taipei to negotiate with an opponent who holds a sword ever at the ready.

The only way out is for China to discard its hostility and dismantle the missiles it aims at Taiwan. Only then will peace and stability be within reach. One thing is certain: People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are sincerely awaiting the arrival of a diplomatic spring.

Chou Chang-Yu

Taipei
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