Following Kaohsiung’s successful hosting of the World Games in July, the 21st Deaflympics opened in Taipei with a spectacular ceremony on Saturday. Thousands of people have volunteered to help the athletes and other visitors during their stay. Taiwan’s hosting of the World Games and Deaflympics has strengthened the self-confidence of its citizens and broadened their horizons, while offering an opportunity to present Taiwan to the world.
The World Games and the Deaflympics are not as flashy as the Olympics and do not draw as much international attention. Nevertheless, Taiwan has demonstrated its concern for the disadvantaged as well as its ability to organize large-scale events. It shows that Taiwan can play an effective role internationally.
Taiwan has often been excluded from international events because of pressure from China. This has been a loss not just for Taiwan but also for the world. There are many ways in which international organizations could benefit from Taiwan’s assistance or participation. Both Taiwan and the international community would benefit from exploring these possibilities.
There is more to cross-strait relations than military might and missiles, diplomatic rivalry and a war of words. Soft power comes into play in many situations that are not necessarily zero-sum games in which there can only be one winner and one loser — nor does size always determine the outcome.
China’s market is enormous and its international clout undeniable, but Taiwan’s path of development and its flexible and efficient business management and strategy have long been models for China to follow.
In the cultural sphere, Taiwan’s influence on China is illustrated by a recent poll in which Chinese people voted for Taiwanese singers Teresa Teng (鄧麗君) and Jay Chou (周杰倫) and writer Chiung Yao (瓊瑤) among a list of the 10 most influential cultural figures.
Taiwan and China are multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-faith countries. During the decades in which the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) held a monopoly on political power in Taiwan, it tried through oppressive means to unite society around a single value system. Taiwan today respects the values of pluralism and freedom. Although many victims of Typhoon Morakot are Christian, they welcomed the Dalai Lama’s visit. Equally, many Buddhists have expressed their appreciation for a visit by Vatican envoy Cardinal Paul Cordes.
Different religions may have different ways of expressing their concern for human suffering, but their humanity is a common value that transcends boundaries of religion, ethnicity and language. Taiwan’s transition from a dictatorial system to one of pluralism and tolerance is one that China would do well to follow.
The rise of China makes many countries uneasy. Although Beijing says its rise is peaceful, observers around the world have their doubts, including former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew (李光耀).
China’s diplomacy includes a heavy emphasis on military might, overlooking the potential of soft power. Hard power is a matter of winners and losers, of victory and defeat. Soft power implies complementary development and common prosperity. Soft power can and should form the basis for cross-strait relations.
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