Whether one calls it state-to-state relations, the so-called “1992 consensus” or “one China, two areas,” the concepts of cross-strait relations proffered by the nation’s political parties are restricted by the classical theory of sovereignty on the one hand, and by strategic ambiguity on the other, as they seek to avoid pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
In a series of articles on topics ranging from cross-strait unification to cross-strait linkages, the Chinese-language United Daily News has proposed new interpretations of the “one China” concept.
This is a creative approach that has rarely been seen before.
However, this discourse, which is a development of “roof discourse,” remains dependent on the concepts of sovereignty and nation, while saying too little about another important factor: the real people that live under this imaginary roof.
The Declaration of Free Men recently proposed by Taiwan Democracy Watch advocates the reconstruction of the cross-strait relationship based on the UN’s Human Rights Charter.
The hope is that it will be possible to build friendly ties between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait based on human rights.
This is based on some fundamental concepts.
First, although the priority is cross-strait relations, the “people” cannot be simply described as “Chinese” — it concerns all East Asian people.
Second, what people need most of all is not a “roof” of sovereignty, nation or culture, but real human rights.
The sovereignty mentioned in the Declaration of Free Men is not the classical kind of sovereignty that focuses on the power of a ruler, but a popular sovereignty that gives precedence to the protection of human rights.
In a one-party dictatorship, there are limited human rights and there is no popular sovereignty.
Finally, we believe that only through the realization of East Asian democracy and cooperation between civic societies can there be true peace in East Asia and across the Taiwan Strait.
Traditional sovereignty theory is dominated by violence. It monopolizes and it excludes.
This is precisely why cross-strait relations have always been mired in ambiguity and lies. This is where the “roof linkage” concept has made a breakthrough.
The declaration further advocates a concept of “human rights linkage.” Human rights are a common good without any need for monopolization or exclusion.
If I enjoy human rights, that should not obstruct the human rights of others.
The history of human civilization reveals that political integration that has been forcibly initiated by military or economic means often ends in disaster.
However, the experiences of the US and the EU show that a consensus based on the UN’s Human Rights Charter can lead to guarantees of liberal democracy, justice and fairness.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela said: “Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.”
We believe that cross-strait relations must show mutual concern for the freedom and human rights of people on both sides of the Strait. This is the only way for a friendly relationship to take root at the civic society level, which in turn is the only way for cross-strait empathy to grow and mature.
It is also only when constitutionalism and popular sovereignty have been properly implemented on both sides of the Strait, so that human rights are guaranteed, that we can seize the historic opportunity to link the two sides together.
Yen Chueh-an is a professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Law and a supervisor of Taiwan Democracy Watch.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.