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[LETTERS]

Something rotten in Denmark

The positive increase in economic links between Taiwan and China has sparked an uninformed debate in Denmark. Danish pundits imagine a future federation between Taiwan and China. These writers display a great ignorance about Taiwanese public opinion that unfortunately is unhelpful for promoting an understanding of Taiwan.

The federation that commentators describe, based on the one country, two systems formula, disregards the wishes of the Taiwanese public. The fact that 70 percent to 80 percent of Taiwanese reject this formula — regardless of the details — is not mentioned in these articles. Danish observers also ignore research that has documented the emergence of a Taiwanese identity distinct from China’s. Young Taiwanese think of China as a foreign country.

Some analysts also suggest that former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was to blame for China’s threats of military force against Taiwan. Typically, the writers forget to mention China’s more than 1,000 missiles aimed at Taiwan and Beijing’s “Anti-Secession” Law.

In order to avoid such misunderstandings about the situation, commentators outside Taiwan must gain insight into the country’s domestic political scene. The reason the public elected President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was the economy and stagnating incomes.

Ma is now under enormous pressure to deliver economic improvements. Up to now, he has not delivered and his popularity has dropped to 48 percent from 70 percent.

In order to realize short-sighted economic goals, Ma’s government is relying entirely on the so-called “1992 consensus” and thereby turning the clock back 16 years.

Taiwan needs more elbow room as a normal country without China blocking its free trade agreements and membership bids at international organizations. But China will probably not allow a significant change in Taiwan’s international status because Ma could lose the next election and a different president might declare formal independence.

Taiwan is a well-run and wealthy democracy and its population is uninterested in unification.

Pundits abroad seem to imply that the best option for everyone would be for the two countries to unify. The question they fail to answer is why.

Michael Danielsen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Citizen diplomats wanted

The arrival of Chinese tourists gives the public a great opportunity to practice “citizen-to-citizen diplomacy,” to communicate directly, face-to-face, with people whose government usually prevents them from hearing the voices of Taiwan.

Taiwanese will encounter these visitors in a variety of contexts — on the street, in shops and hotels, taking public transportation — and when they do, they will be able to engage them in conversations that are hopefully mutually respectful.

They can listen carefully and compassionately to visitors’ ideas about a variety of topics, including, of course, cross-strait relations, and share their own.

Taiwanese can take the opportunity to convey the following message to these visitors clearly and with calm conviction: “No matter what you think, no matter what your government and media have put into your heads, Taiwan is not and has never been part of the People’s Republic of China. We are very happy to welcome you to our wonderful country and to travel to yours, and we hope to expand economic, social and cultural cooperation between our peoples. But you must know and please tell everyone you know, that we will never allow China to conquer us and will resist any invasion with our very lives. Any attempt by your government to coerce and oppress us will only end up hurting it. If you don’t believe that, then take some time to ask other Taiwanese for their opinions.”

Wouldn’t it be great if visitors heard such friendly, firm statements repeatedly during their stay? The experience would make a lasting impression on them and would likely be recounted to others at home. Through principled, forthright communication, the public can play a crucial role in promoting lasting peace.

Shi Yo-Ruong

Taipei

Is Ma taking after Mao?

In response to last Thursday’s editorial (“Has Ma been hypnotized on defense?”, July 3, page 8) that Ma has undermined national security, there are in fact indications that he is following the footsteps of Chinese leader Mao Zedong (毛澤東).

The “Long March” helped Mao win China. The “Long Stay” helped Ma win the presidential election.

Ma is repeating his long stay in the south in an attempt to regain the popularity he has lost by breaking promises. His promise to turn the economy around “immediately” has changed to “gradually.”

Mao claimed the KMT government was corrupt and incapable. Ma claimed that the Democratic Progressive Party government was corrupt and incapable.

Mao let dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) flee to Taiwan. Ma attacks former president Chen but admires Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤).

Mao wanted to “liberate” Taiwan. Ma is implementing the “one China” policy and has pledged “ultimate unification.”

It looks like Ma will help Mao “liberate” Taiwan.

Mao purged KMT members, landlords and intellectuals after he took over China. Ma wants to get rid of the country’s “old thinking” officials — referring to pan-green officials and academics.

Ma will forget his title as president as he courts Chinese tourists.

Communists can now be active in Taiwan.

Charles Hong

Columbus, Ohio
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